Chapter 11 - Biotransformation in the production of secondary metabolites

Abstract

Secondary metabolites that can be produced from primary ones are not directly involved in the normal growth, development, and reproduction of the organism. They are molecules that are primarily involved in the overall maintenance/homeostasis of the organism. Secondary metabolites specifically modulate health-maintaining processes, including the excretion of waste and toxic products from the body. Secondary plant metabolites can be classified into four major classes: terpenoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, and sulfur-containing compounds. These phytochemicals can be antimicrobial, act as attractants/repellents, or as deterrents against herbivores. Biotransformation is an important technique for the production of metabolites and is defined as the conversion of a small part of the chemical molecule by means of the biological system. This is a useful method for the production of new potent molecules, overcoming the problems associated with chemical synthesis reactions/enhancement of productivity, and providing the basic information needed to elucidate the biosynthetic pathways. In this chapter, we discuss the recent literature on the production of secondary plant metabolites. We conclude our chapter by proposing strategies to enhance the production of secondary plant metabolites in cell cultures.