plantas medicinais: fatores de influência no conteúdo de metabólitos secundários medicinal plants: factors of influence on the content of secondary metabolites
;Leonardo Gobbo-Neto;Norberto P. Lopes
greece and rome2007Vol. 30pp. 374-381
178
gobbo-neto2007qumicaplantas
Abstract
Since secondary metabolites represent a chemical interface between plants and surrounding environment, their syntheses are frequently affected by environmental conditions. Thus, variations in the total content and/or of the relative proportions of secondary metabolites in plants can take place. We review the main environmental factors that can streamline or alter the production or concentration of secondary metabolites in plants. How seasonality, circadian rhythm, developmental stage and age, temperature, water availability, UV radiation, soil nutrients, altitude, atmospheric composition and tissue damage influence secondary metabolism are discussed.