ABSTRACT
Plants synthesize many classes of organic chemical compounds ranging from simple structures to complex molecules as part of their normal metabolic processes. These compounds are broadly characterized as: (1) primary metabolites which encompass substances such as nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides that are the fundamental biologically active chemical units of living plant cells, and (2) secondary metabolites which typically have larger, more complex chemical architectures that incorporate one or more primary metabolites into their structures. Various types
of secondary metabolites synthesized by plants are commonly referred to as phytochemicals and include carotenoids, phenolics,
alkaloids, terpenes, sterols, saponins, nitrogen-containing compounds, and organosulfur compounds.
