Plant chemicals

​

Plants contain various compounds. Most common are cellulose, starch, sugar and lignine. Cellulose is comprised out of sugars and is important for the cell wall of plant cells. Also made from sugars is starch, unlike cellulose, starch is used as energy storage for the plant. Starch can be found in roots, most often tuberous roots.Lignin is a natural phenolresin, comparative to Bakelite, and is essential for wood formation in plants.

 

Plants also contain flavonoids, compounds that do not contain nitrogen and perform a crucial role regarding plant processes. They can for instance regulate growth, protect against UV light or protect against oxidation. Flavonoids are also responsible for the colour of red cabbage and flowers.

Many plants also produce alkaloids, compounds that look very similar to flavonoids, but do contain nitrogen. Alkaloids are mainly present for a single reason: to protect the plant. These compounds are almost always bioactive, usually neuro- or psychoactive. Commonly known alkaloids are atropine (Atropa), caffeine (Coffea), nicotine (Nicotiana) and strychnine (Strychnos). Because they are biologically active, they are often investigated and employed for medical purposes.

 

Terpenes are compounds that a plant produces from isoprene, the building block for natural rubber. Terpenes generally have a smell, flavour or a colour. Known examples are geraniol (Geranium), Menthol (Mentha), humulene (Humulus) and beta carotene (Daucus).Terpenoids are compounds with a terpene as basis, however, plants uses extra building blocks to produce these compounds. Often, flavonoids and alkaloids are terpenoids. Examples of terpenoids are tetrahydrocannabinol (Cannabis), paclitaxel (Taxus) and steroids (produced by many plants, but also by animals and humans). Terpenes and terpenoids are often biologically active.

 

Through our knowledge of chemistry we can help you with:

-   Literature research and analysis of plant compounds and toxins;

-   Finding applications for (bio)active compounds;

-   Supervising research into and production of (biologically) active compounds;

-   Developing ideas and supervising breeding programmes with the aim of maximizing the yield of the (biologically) active compounds.

 

Are you interested in the plant chemicals of your plant, or are you willing to put your plant into the market in a different way via plant chemicals.

Please, contact us to discuss the possibilities and services we could provide for you.