Nigerian Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biochemistry & Physiology: Open Access

Phytochemicals: Phytochemicals Role in Food

Abstract

Author(s):

Phytochemicals are compounds that occur naturally in plants as a secondary metabolites . Many of them have therapeutic effects, such as Paclitaxel, an important anticancer drug, anti-inflammatory and blood-sugar-lowering drug. Phytochemicals concentrations in native plants are very low and the field cultivation of their intact plants is time-consuming and geographically specific as well. A large amount of plant material is required for the isolation of a given substance in substantial amount.