Natural Plant Chemicals: Sources of Industrial and Medicinal Materials

Abstract

Many higher plants produce economically important organic compounds such as oils, resins, tannins, natural rubber, gums, waxes, dyes, flavors and fragrances, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides. However, most species of higher plants have never been described, much less surveyed for chemical or biologically active constituents, and new sources of commercially valuable materials remain to be discovered. Advances in biotechnology, particularly methods for culturing plant cells and tissues, should provide new means for the commercial processing of even rare plants and the chemicals they produce. These new technologies will extend and enhance the usefulness of plants as renewable resources of valuable chemicals. In the future, biologically active plant-derived chemicals can be expected to play an increasingly significant role in the commercial development of new products for regulating plant growth and for insect and weed control.

Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae) Extract Modifies the Peritrophic Matrix Structure of Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae)

“…Aware of this effect, mankind has used plants or plant extracts to control insects since ancient times. Plant derived products have received increased attention from scientists and more than 2,000 plant species are already known to have insecticidal properties (Balandrin 1985, Sukamar et al 1991.…”

Biological activity of the red alga Laurencia brandenii

“…The mode of action of this seaweed might be due to the shutdown of different biosynthetic routes of the pest's metabolic pathways. These insecticidal compounds can inhibit the feeding behaviour and growth regulators, disrupting the endocrinological balance of the insects (BALANDRIN et al 1985). Marine flora and fauna with their broad chemical diversity are still an untapped resource for the development of new agro-chemical agents (CROMBIE 1990) and insecticides (SAXENA 1987).…”

Seleção de plantas com atividade anticolinasterase para tratamento da doença de Alzheimer

“…A natureza é uma fonte de inestimável riqueza de novos medicamentos. Nos EUA e Inglaterra, aproximadamente 25% dos compostos ativos, nas prescrições atuais, foram identificados em plantas superiores 3 . A avaliação biológica 1 foi uma das mais significantes mudanças na área de produtos naturais nos últimos anos.…”