Phytochemistry Flashcards
What are primary metabolites? List 4.
Fundamental to the life of the plant.
Protein, lipid, carbohydrate, chlorophyll
What are secondary metabolites?
Not fundamental to sustain life. AKA plant constituents. Responsible for diverse function: protection, interaction, color, fragrance, and structure.
Give examples of plant carbohydrates.
Inulin, arabinogalactans, beta-glucans, gum, mucilage
Give examples of plant lipids
Alkamides, fatty acids
Give examples of plant phenolics
salicylic acid, coumarin, flavonoid, isoflavones, lignans, quinones, tannins
Give examples of terpenoids.
Volatile oils, resins, saponins, phytosterols, carotenoids, cardiac glycosides, iridoids.
Give an example of an alkaloid.
Isoquinolin, pyrrolizidine
Is a sugar unit a glycone or an aglycone?
Glycone
What are the two components of a phenolic glycoside?
glycone (sugar unit) and aglycone (phenolic compound-typically is biologically active and requires our gut flora to cleave and activate it)
What does the sugar (glycone) do to the glycoside’s solubility?
Makes it more water soluble
True or False. Every solvent has the same affinity for different groups of phytochemicals.
False, they are varying.
What will water-based solutions extract?
Water soluble constituents like mucilage, polysaccharides and tannins.
What are some fat- based solutions.
alcohol, vinegar, glycerin, oil.
What will fat-based solutions extract?
Fat-soluble constituents like alkaloids, resins, and volatile oils.
What are 6 influences on constituent solubility.
1.) Structure & size (of the phytochemical molecule)
2.) Polarity (of its molecular skeleton and attached functional group)
3.) Synergistic and companion compound content
4.) Temperature (of extraction solvents)
5.) Plant matrix
6.) Type of solvent & solution pH (ionization)
