BIOTECHNOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF PLANT SECONDARY METABOLITES

Dilek Oskay ¹ , Mustafa OSKAY ¹

In the past two decades, plant secondary metabolites has started obtaining of useful compounds and has constituted a new area of biotechnology. Structure and functions of some secondary metabolites of the plants were determined at the first time in 19th century. Today, the most studied secondary plant metabolites are alkaloids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds. Resins, anthocyanins, tannins, saponins and volatile oils are being used in producing of soap, perfume, herbal oil, dye, gum, natural plastics, pesticide and insecticide, and in medicinal applications and in industry. Within this study by emphasizing of the plant secondary metabilites types which known up to now, application fields and biotechnological importances, and it was aimed to prepare a preliminary reference for researchers who study or willing to study on this topic.

Keywords
Secondary Metabolites, Plant, Biotechnology, Alkaloid, Phenolic Compounds,