Secondary Metabolite Production in Medicinal Plants under Abiotic Stress

Abstract

Like other plants, medicinal and aromatic plants have evolved several mechanisms to accommodate themselves under changing environmental conditions, so as to carry various functions necessary for their physiological processes. Several abiotic factors have hindered their growth and development. This has resulted in the production of repertoire of secondary metabolites in order to cope with stress and develop defensive means. Numerous environmental factors, like drought, temperature, light and salinity, trigger various signaling pathways that result in secondary metabolite production. These metabolites also serve as exceptional sources for flavours, food additives and industrially important pharmaceuticals. The secondary metabolite production also depends upon the genotype and developmental stage of the plant and upon various environmental factors during its period of growth. In vitro medicinal plant cultures are widely used for studying and enhancing the production of plant secondary metabolites. Also, the use of various molecular biology tools has facilitated the understanding of different pathways involved in the secondary metabolite production. This chapter summarizes the effect of various abiotic factors on the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants.