ABSTRACT
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds responsible for organoleptic properties that also have biological significance. Phytochemistry is mainly concerned with enormous varieties of secondary plant metabolites which are biosynthesized by plants. In phytochemical evaluation, the powdered leaves are subjected to phytochemical screening for the detection of various plant constituents, characterized for their possible bioactive compounds which have been separated, and subjected to detailed structural analysis. Alkaloids are a chemically heterogenous group of natural substances and pharmacologically active compounds. Many plants containing steroidal saponins have a marked hormonal activity while in triterpenoids, saponins are often strong expectorants and aid in the absorption of nutrients. Some of the bioactive substances that can be derived from plants are flavonoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, tannin, antioxidants, and phenolic compounds. It is believed that there may be about 4000 phytochemicals contained in plants that can be used to prevent, minimize or remedy medical conditions such as strokes, cancer or metabolic syndrome.
