8 XII December 2020

https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2020.32384
 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.429
Volume 8 Issue XII Dec 2020- Available at www.ijraset.com

Role of Phytochemicals in Plants: A Review

Hency Thacker1, Vijay Ram2
1, 2
Department of Chemistry, KSKV Mundra Road, Bhuj (Kachchh)

Abstract: Phytochemistry is the branch of science that deals with the examination of phytochemicals produced by plants, their
structural compositions and their biosynthetic pathways. Phytochemicals in plants are classified as primary and secondary
metabolites. They possess variety of functions in plants and animals. Phytochemicals protect plants from various biotic and
abiotic stresses and impart color to it. They possess wide range of bioactivities and possess numerous health benefits. The present
review summarizes the role of various phytochemicals in plants namely amino acids, phenols, flavanoids, anthocyanins, lipids
and so on.
Keywords: Phytochemistry, Phytochemicals, Lipids, Flavanoids, Anthocyanins

I. INTRODUCTION
Phytochemistry involves the investigation of phytochemicals produced by plants, their structural compositions, biosynthetic
pathways, functions and mechanism of actions in the living systems [1]. The chemical substances present in plants or phytochemicals
may be classified as primary and secondary metabolites based on their chemical structure and biosynthetic derivation [2]. Primary
metabolites (Proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids) are highly analogous in their structure and are vital for metabolism,
growth, development, maintenance and survival of plants[3,4,5]. Secondary metabolites (Polyphenols, flavanoids, alkaloids …) are not
crucial for survival of the plants but affect the interaction of plant with its surroundings and hence ensuring the quiddity in its
ecosystem [6]. Phytochemicals are distinctive to definite plants and parts of plants. They protect plants from deleterious agents such as
insects and microbes, traumatic events like extreme temperature and impart color it [7]. Phytochemicals are plant substances
comprising diverse bioactivities with numerous health benefits and have been utilized in conventional medicine system to treat
various ailments and diseases [8].

II. ROLE OF AMINO ACIDS

In plants amino acids acts as stress reducing agents, source of nitrogen, osmolyte, precursors of hormones, proteins and other
nitrogen containing compounds such as nucleic acids. Amino acids also affects root development, antioxidant metabolism, gene
expression, redox- homeostasis and are signaling factors of diverse physiological progressions such as glutamate receptors [9, 10, 11].
Glycine acts as a precursor of chlorophyll whereas serine, tryptophan and valine act as precursor of auxin. Phenylalanine serves as
precursors to the formation of lignin and woody tissues. Methionine stimulates ethylene synthesis; alanine provokes hormones
metabolism, cold weather resistance and resistance mechanism to viruses [12].

III. ROLE OF REDUCING SUGARS

Reducing sugars play pivotal role in plants as carbon and energy transport molecules, osmotica, precursors of proteins,
polysaccharides, oils and woody materials and regulates plant immune system. Sugars possess reactive oxygen spieces scavenging
potential and are crucial constituents of integrated cellular redox network. In plant-microbe interaction, they act as a signal for
modulation of defense genes. In fungal pathogen-plant system, sugars promote oxidative burst at a preliminary stage of infection, and
stimulates synthesis of flavanoids and provoke definite pathogen related proteins by enhancing lignification of cell walls [13, 14, 15].

IV. ROLE OF PHENOLS/ POLYPHENOLS

Phenols influence various physiological processes associated with plant growth and development such as seed germination, cell
division, synthesis of photosynthetic pigments, improves tolerance and adaptability of plant under trivial conditions, and also
participate in defense against ultra-violet radiation or attack by pathogens. Phenols promotes nutrient uptake and mobilization of
elements like calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc , iron by means of chelation of metallic ions, improved active absorption sites
and soil porosity[16,17]. The ability of polyphenols to show a discrepancy in nitrogen availability to the plants exists by means of
influencing organisms affecting decomposition and specific N transformations or by complexation with proteins. Polyphenols and
phenolic acids possess ability to prevent phosphate sorption and desorbed previously bound phosphate in plants [18].

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved 19

 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.429
Volume 8 Issue XII Dec 2020- Available at www.ijraset.com

V. ROLE OF FLAVANOIDS
Flavanoids in plants acts as growth regulator, combating agents, signal molecules, phytoalexins, detoxifying agents, stimulants for
germination of spores, pollinator attractants, and allelochemical agents [19, 20]. Flavanoids inflect auxin activity as they are proficient
inhibitors of glycoproteins that are involved in intercellular auxin movement [21]. Quercetin enhances pollen germination and hence
affects plant fertility [22]. K+ promotes synthesis of flavanoids along with phenolic acids, Anthocyanins, chlorophylls, carotenoids,
lycopene and vitamins [23]. In tomato, apple and grapefruit, N content adversely influences biosynthesis of flavanoids [24]. Vacuolar
flavanoids also activate stress induced morphogenesis that defends plants from unexpected injuries of diverse origins [25].

VI. ROLE OF LIPIDS

Lipids play pivotal role in plants as signaling molecules to regulate cell metabolism and energy storage compounds. In seeds of some
plant speices, lipids are key form of carbon storage and comprise upto 60 % of the dry weight of the seeds. Cuticular lipids produced
by epidermal cells acts as hydrophobic barrier preventing water loss and lend protection against pathogens and other environmental
stresses. Plant lipids mainly include triacylglycerols, phospholipids, galactolipids and sphingolipids. [26, 27, 28]. Triacylglycerols
accumulate as oils in seeds and fruits of vegetative tissues [29]. Triacylglycerol metabolism is associated with cell division and
expansion, stomatal opening and membrane lipid remodeling. In reproductive tissues, they are vital for organ development and
efficacious pollination [30]. Phospholipid acts as signaling molecules in numerous processes of higher plants such as root growth,
pollen and vascular development, hormone effects, cell response to environmental stimuli, stomata closure, embryo development,
light and sugar signal transduction [31].
VII. ROLE OF ANTHOCYANINS
In plants, anthocyanins play essential role in reproduction by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers, and protection against various
biotic and abiotic stresses such as solar radiation and ultraviolet radiation, cold temperature and water stress [32, 33]. Anthocyanins
assist plant in their defense against pathogenic microorganisms by acting as chemical repellants or anti—fungal, anti-viral and anti-
bacterial agents [34]. Auxin and gibberellins restrain anthocyanin biosynthesis and thus retards fruit maturing. On the contrary,
ethylene, jasmonic acid and abscisic acid uphold anthocyanin biosynthesis and thus improve fruit ripening [35]. In Vernonia
amygealina Del. Potassium promotes anthocyanin and carotenoids biosynthesis at vegetative stage [36].

VIII. CONCLUSION
The present review summarizes the role of different class of phytochemicals in plants. It concludes that phytochemicals play vital
role in different physiological processes of plant growth. Phytochemicals in plants are affected by mineral elements, various biotic
and abiotic stress and attack by pathogens and microbes. Phytochemicals also regulate plant hormones and hence affects maturation
and ripening.

REFERENCES
[1] Chukwuebuka Egbuna, Jonathan Chineneye Ifemeje, Stanley Chidi Udedi, Shashank Kumar. (2019). Phytochemistry: Fundamentals, Modern techniques and
applications . Canada: Apple Academic Press.
[2] Gnanavel Velu, Veluchamy Palanichamy, Anand Prem Rajan. (2018). Phytochemical and Pharmacological Importance of Plant Secondary Metabolites in
Modern Medicine. In S. Mohana Roopan, G. Madhumitha, Bioorganic Phase in Natural Food: An Overview (pp. 135-156). Springer.
[3] Matthias Erb, Daniel J. Kliebenstein. (2020). Plant Secondary Metabolites as Defenses, Regulators, and Primary Metabolites: The Blurred Functional
Trichotomy. Plant physiology , 184, 39-52.
[4] M.A. Eastwood. (2001). A molecular biological basis for the nutritional and pharmacological benifits of dietry plants. QJM: An International Journal of
Medicine , 94, 45-48.
[5] Ronald Bentley. (1997). Secondary metabolites play primary role in human affairs. Perspectives in Biology and Medicine , 40, 197-221.
[6] Saurabh Pagare, Manila Bhatia,Niraj Tripathi, Sonal Pagare, Y.K. Bansal. (2015). Secondary Metabolites of Plants and their Role:Overview. Current Trends in
Biotechnology and Pharmacy , 9, 293-304.
[7] Kristina B. Martinez, Jessica D. Mackert, Michael K. McIntosh. (2017). Polyphenols and Intestinal Health. In Nutrition and Functional Foods for Healthy
Aging (pp. 191-209). Amsterdam: Elsevier.
[8] Rakesh Sharma, Satish Kumar, Vikas Kumar , Abhishek Thakur. (2019). Comprehensive review on nutraceutical significance of phytochemicals as functional
food ingredients forhuman health management. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry , 8, 385-395.
[9] V.K.Rai. (2002). Role of amino acids in plant responses to stresses. Biologia Plantaarum , 45, 481-487.
[10] Shumaila Khan , Hongjun Yu, Qiang Li, Yinan Gao , Basheer Noman Sallam, Heng Wang, Peng Liu, Weijie Jiang. (2019). Exogenous Application of Amino
Acids Improves the Growth and Yield of Lettuce by Enhancing Photosynthetic Assimilation and Nutrient Availability. Agronomy , 9, 1-17.
[11] Walquiria F. Teixeira, Evandro B. Fajan, Luis H. Soares, Jerssica N. Soares, Klaus Reichardt, Durval N. Deto. (2018). Seed and FoliarApplication of Amino
Acids Improve Variables of Nitrogen Metabolism and Productivity in Soybean Crop. Frontiers in Plant science , 9, 1-12.
[12] Małgorzata Popko , Izabela Michalak, Radosław Wilk, , Mateusz Gramza, Katarzyna Chojnacka, Henryk Górecki. (2018). Effect of the New Plant Growth
Biostimulants Based on Amino Acids on Yield and Grain Quality of Winter Wheat. Molecules , 23, 1-13.

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved 20

 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.429
Volume 8 Issue XII Dec 2020- Available at www.ijraset.com

[13] N.G. Halford, T.Y. Curtis, N. Muttucumaru, J. Postles, D.S. Mottram. (2011). Sugars in crop plants. Annals of Applied Biology , 158, 1-25.
[14] Iwona Morkunas, Lech Ratajczak. (2014). The role of sugar signaling in plant defense responses against fungal pathogens. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum , 36,
1607–1619.
[15] Sophie Trouvelot, Marie-Clarie Heloir, Benoit Poinssot, Adrien Gauthier, Franck Paris, Christelle Guillier, Maud Combier, Lucie Trda, Xavier Daire, Marielle
Adrian. (2014). Carbohydrates in plant immunity and plant protection : roles and potential application as foliar sprays. Frontiers in plant science , 5, 1-14.
[16] Anket Sharma ,Babar Shahzad, Abdul Rehman , Renu Bhardwaj, Marco Landi, Bingsong Zheng. (2019). Response of Phenylpropanoid Pathway and the Role
of Polyphenols in Plants under Abiotic Stress. Molecules , 24, 1-22.
[17] Kanti Bhooshan Pandey , Syed Ibrahim Rizvi. (2009). Plant polyphenols as dietary antioxidants in human health and disease. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular
Longevity , 2, 270-278.
[18] Stephan Hättenschwiler , Peter M. Vitousek. (2000). The role of polyphenols in terrestrial ecosystem nutrient cycling. Trends in Ecology and Evolution , 15,
238-243.
[19] Shashank Kumar , Abhay K. Pandey. (2013). Chemistry and Biological Activities of Flavonoids: An Overview. The Scientific World Journal , 1-17.
[20] Amalesh Samanta, Gouranga Das, Sanjoy Kumar Das. (2011). Roles Of Flavonoids In Plants. International Journal of Pharmaceutical science and technology ,
6, 12-35.
[21] Justyna Mierziak , Kamil Kostyn, Anna Kulma. (2014). Flavonoids as Important Molecules of Plant Interactions with the Environment. Molecules , 19, 16240-
16265.
[22] Ammara Ahad, Amina Yaqoob, Rabia Nawaz, Ambreen Gul, Naila Shahid,Tahir Rehman sami ullah, Abdul Q Rao, Ahmad A Shahid , Tayyab Hasnain.
(2018). Multidimensional roles of flavonoids in background of Gossypium hirsutum. Cogent Food & Agriculture , 4, 1-9.
[23] Lilia Salas-Pérez , Tiziana Fornari-Reale, Pablo Preciado-Rangel, , José L. García-Hernández, Esteban Sánchez-Chávez, Enrique Troyo-Diéguez. (2018).
Cultivar Variety and Added Potassium Influence the Nutraceutical and Antioxidant Content in Hydroponically Grown Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). Agronomy
, 8, 1-14.
[24] Mohd Hafiz Ibrahim , Hawa Z. E. Jaafar , Asmah Rahmat, Zaharah Abdul Rahman. (2012). Involvement of Nitrogen on Flavonoids, Glutathione, Anthocyanin,
Ascorbic Acid and Antioxidant Activities of Malaysian Medicinal Plant Labisia pumila Blume (Kacip Fatimah). International Journal of Molecular sciences ,
13, 393-408.
[25] Giovanni Agati , Elisa Azzarello , Susanna Pollastri , Massimiliano Tattini. (2012). Flavonoids as antioxidants in plants: Location and functional significance.
Plant Science , 196, 67-76.
[26] Mi Chung Suh , Gunther Hahne, Jang R. Liu, C. Neal Stewart Jr. (2015). Plant lipid biology and biotechnology. Plant cell reports , 34, 517-518.
[27] Hyun Uk Kim. (2020). Lipid Metabolism in Plants. Plants , 9, 1-4.
[28] John Ohlroggeav‘ , John Browse. (1995). Lipid Biosynthesis. Plant Cell , 7, 957-970.
[29] Changcheng Xu , John Shanklin. (2016). Triacylglycerol Metabolism, Function, and Accumulation in Plant Vegetative Tissues. Annual Review of plant
biology , 67, 179-206.
[30] Yang Yang, Christoph Benning. (2018). Functions of triacylglycerols during plant development and stress. Current opinion in Biotechnology , 49, 191-198.
[31] Hong-Wei Xue, Xu Chen, Yu Mei. (2009). Function and regulation of phospholipid signalling in plants. Biochemical Journal , 421, 145-156.
[32] Fei He , Lin Mu , Guo-Liang Yan ,Na-Na Liang, , Qiu-Hong Pan, Jun Wang, Malcolm J. Reeves, Chang-Qing Duan. (2010). Biosynthesis of Anthocyanins and
Their Regulation in Colored Grapes. Molecules , 15, 9057-9091.
[33] Ying Liu, Yury Tikunov, Rob E. Schouten, Leo. F. M. Marcelis, Richard G.F. Visser, Arnaud Bovy. (2018). Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Degradation
Mechanisms in Solanaceous Vegetables : A review. Fronteirs in Chemistry , 6, 1-17.
[34] Simcha Lev-Yadun, d Kevin S. Gould. (2009). Role of Anthocyanins in Plant Defence . In Anthocyanins (pp. 21-48). Springer Science+Business Media
[35] Gen Li, Jianhua Zhao, Beibei Qin, Yue Yin, Wei An, Zixin Mu, Youlong Cao. (2019). ABA mediates development-dependent anthocyanin biosynthesis and
fruit coloration in Lycium plants. BMC Plant Biology , 19, 1-13
[36] Betty Tjhia , Sandra Arifin Aziz, Ketty Suketi. (2018). Correlations between Leaf Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium and Leaf Chlorophyll, Anthocyanins
and Carotenoids Content at Vegetative and Generative Stage of Bitter Leaf (Vernonia amygealina Del.). Journal of Tropical Crop Science , 5, 25-33.

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved 21