Alkaloids are one of the largest and the most studied groups of plant secondary metabolites being present in cereals, cereal-based food and animal feed among other plants and plant derived food. Alkaloids are the most abundant in higher plants being reperesented with 25%. They are known about their toxicity from the ancient times to date causing severe health problems in humans and livestock including several epidemics. In spite of that, due to their strong physiological properties, alkaloids are used as pharmaceuticals. They can act as defence compounds in plants, being efficient against pathogens due to their toxicity. They have also biological significance as active stimulators, inhibitors and terminators of growth being structurally very similar to plant growth hormones.
Ergot alkaloids Tropane alkaloids Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cereals cereal food feed chemistry biochemistry pharmacology regulations
Primary Language | English |
---|---|
Subjects | Food Engineering |
Journal Section | Food Health and Technology Innovations |
Authors | |
Publication Date | September 30, 2019 |
Published in Issue | Year 2019 Volume: 2 Issue: 5 |