The Science of Phytochemical

Essay from the year 2019 in the subject Biology - Botany, grade: 12, , language: English, abstract: Phytochemicals, the nonnutritional parts are natural chemical constituents in plants to protect against diseases and to form color as well as other organoleptic properties. Study of Phytochemicals has emerged as a potential source to find a better treatment or cure some diseases with little or side effects or to create a synthetic equivalence for commercial profits.

Secondary metabolites are chemical compounds produced by bacteria, fungi, particularly in plants involved in the protection of the survival of the organism. Most common secondary metabolites are flavonoids, phenolic and polyphenolic compounds, terpenoids and sulfur-containing compounds. 3,3'-Diindolylmethane or DIM is phytochemicals derived from the digestion of indole-3-carbinol, belongings to the group of Indoles, found abundantly in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and kale, etc. A recent study from the US suggested that DIM may be a potent phytochemical for the prevention or treatment of the adverse effects caused by radiation and chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. Intake of DIM as a form of supplement should be taken with extreme care to prevent overdose toxicity.