Biological Activity and Chemical Biodiversity of Plant Secondary Metabolites
A special issue of Metabolites (ISSN 2218-1989). This special issue belongs to the section "Plant Metabolism".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 4
Special Issue Editor
Interests: secondary metabolites; essential oils; plant genetic resources
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Plant secondary metabolites consisting of terpenes (essential oil components, pyrethrins, limonoides, phytoecdysones, cardenolides, and saponins), phenolic compounds (phenol propanoids, coumarins, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins), and nitrogen-containing compounds (alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, glucosinolates, and non-protein amino acids) have widely diverse chemical structures with different chemical properties and correspondingly exhibit diverse biological activities. Secondary metabolites can function in plant defense as deterrents against herbivorous and pathogenic organisms; in allelopathy, by reducing the germination and growth of competing plants; in attracting pollinators and animals, thereby aiding the production and dispersion of seeds; and in encountering biotic and abiotic stresses in the plant’s environment. In addition, isolated secondary metabolites can play important roles in medicine and nutrition.
This Special Issue will focus on studies that explore the following: the isolation and characterization of plant secondary metabolites; the effects of biotic and abiotic factors on the synthesis of metabolites; novel methods for detecting metabolites and analyzing metabolic pathways; the role of secondary metabolites in plant–environment interactions and their biodiversity; and novel uses in nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic applications.
Climate change creates stressful conditions for plants and threatens crop survival and productivity. Therefore, studies on the role of secondary metabolites in the mitigation of stress and diseases are especially welcome. In addition, studies exploring the analysis of genetic resource diversity and the selection of plants with great potential to advantageously interact with the changing environment (such plants may also be beneficial in dietary and medicinal applications) are also very welcome.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Catherine Cook
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- secondary metabolites
- chemical diversity
- biological activities
- plant defense
- environmental interactions
- nutritional and medicinal applications
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