Plant Secondary Metabolites in Halophytes

Plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are the intermediate or end products of the primary metabolism of higher plants and are not involved in metabolic activities. Primary metabolites are the compounds that are indispensable in the processes of photosynthesis, respiration, and growth and development. To a certain degree, these compounds are found in all plants, yet they are common in tropical forages. In spite of the high cost of energy for the biosynthesis of PSMs, they are produced for protective purposes. Most halophytic plant species produce secondary metabolites with wide biological activity, such as tannins, organic acids, carotene, ascorbic acid, glycosides, absinthin, and essential oils. This chapter discusses the occurrence of PSM's in halophytes, the origin and divisions of plant secondary metabolites, and the distribution of PSM's in plant species and organs. nbsp;