Molecules 2014, 19(10), 16240-16265; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules191016240
Flavonoids as Important Molecules of Plant Interactions with the Environment
Faculty of Biotechnology, Wroclaw University, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, 51-148 Wroclaw, Poland
†
These authors contributed equally to this work
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Received: 30 May 2014 / Revised: 15 September 2014 / Accepted: 16 September 2014 / Published: 10 October 2014
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Active Natural Products and Their Interaction with Cellular Signalling Pathways)
Abstract
Flavonoids are small molecular secondary metabolites synthesized by plants with various biological activities. Due to their physical and biochemical properties, they are capable of participating in plants’ interactions with other organisms (microorganisms, animals and other plants) and their reactions to environmental stresses. The majority of their functions result from their strong antioxidative properties. Although an increasing number of studies focus on the application of flavonoids in medicine or the food industry, their relevance for the plants themselves also deserves extensive investigations. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the functions of flavonoids in the physiology of plants and their relations with the environment. View Full-TextKeywords:
secondary metabolites; flavonoids; antioxidants; plant protection
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Mierziak, J.; Kostyn, K.; Kulma, A. Flavonoids as Important Molecules of Plant Interactions with the Environment. Molecules 2014, 19, 16240-16265.
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