ABSTRACT
Phenylpropanoid metabolism demonstrates key functional roles for the development, adaptability and survival of plants as primary organisms for terrestrial life. Genes associated with cell metabolism and development, oxidative burst, plant defenses, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, methyl jasmonate response, ethylene and auxins, among other pathways, have been linked to phenolic induction in plant tissues growing under in vivo and in vitro conditions. In addition to their function as important components of plant spice aromas and flavors, which are related to some biological activities, i.e. antimicrobial, antiplasmodial and antifeedant. Phenylpropanoids are elicitors of tolerance to abiotic stresses such as drought, UVB incidence and heavy metal exposure. Recent evidence supports that several enzymatic systems connected with phenylpropanoid pathways are of great significance to plasticity response against adverse environmental conditions, which allows hypothesizing about the mechanism of the diversification and adaptation of plant populations during evolution.
