DOWNLOAD PDF

Beyond Nutrients: Exploring the Potential of Phytochemicals for Human Health

1,2Esther Ugo Alum* and 2Okechukwu P. C. Ugwu

1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053 Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

2Department of Publication and Extension Kampala International University Uganda

*Corresponding author: Esther Ugo Alum; Email:esther.alum@ebsu.edu.ng; +2348034789993

ABSTRACT

Phytochemicals are a broad class of bioactive substances that are produced by plants and can be found in a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. These phytochemicals, which include dietary fibers, polysaccharides, phytosterols, isoprenoids, carotenoids, and saponins, provide a variety of health advantages, including antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. They also have strong antioxidant qualities. This thorough analysis focuses on the several phytochemicals, their origins, and the health benefits that go along with them. Recognizing the variety and advantages of phytochemicals highlights how they might improve human nutrition and health. This article’s summary material comes from reliable academic sources such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. This page gives a brief introduction to the many and significant categories of plant-derived bioactive compounds by summarizing the major phytochemical classes, their origins, and their health advantages. Using the advantages of these substances to improve health outcomes points to a viable direction for further study and implementation in the promotion of overall wellness and health.

Keywords: Phytochemicals, Carotenoids, Polyphenols, Bioactive compounds, Phytosterols, Saponins

INTRODUCTION

Plants create bioactive molecules known as phytochemicals to defend themselves. There are many different sources of phytochemicals, including whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. To date, over a thousand phytochemicals have been identified [1-3]. Carotenoids, polyphenols, isoprenoids, phytosterols, saponins, dietary fibers, and certain polysaccharides are a few of the important phytochemicals [4]. In addition to having potent antioxidant properties, these phytochemicals have antiviral, antibacterial, antidiarrheal, anthelmintic, and antiallergic properties [5-8]. They also aid in the regulation of gene transcription, the improvement of gap junction communication, the bolstering of immunity, and the prevention of prostate and lung malignancies [9]. The features of functional foods have been expanded by the new emphasis on translational research. Following their extraction from a variety of sources, phytochemicals are widely used in the creation of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Crop type, variety, soil, cultivation environment (region, altitude, and season), and other extrinsic and intrinsic factors influence the type and concentration of phytochemicals in the source crop. The main phytochemicals, their properties, and related health benefits are covered in this article. We made use of relevant published articles from Google Scholar, Pubmed, and Scopus.

CONCLUSION

A wide range of health advantages are provided by the vast variety of phytochemicals contained in plants, such as dietary fibers, polysaccharides, phytosterols, isoprenoids, carotenoids, and saponins. These bioactive substances have strong antioxidant qualities and numerous health benefits. They are widely found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. It is important to comprehend the origins, categories, and effects of these phytochemicals since they have a significant impact on human nutrition and health. These chemicals have great promise, ranging from their functions in antioxidant defense to their contributions to gene transcription regulation, immune augmentation, and potential in disease prevention. The potential of phytochemicals to enhance human health is further expanded by their use in the creation of nutraceuticals and functional foods. Utilizing these substances’ advantages to improve health outcomes points to a viable direction for further study and implementation in the promotion of holistic wellness. Exploring and comprehending phytochemicals further is essential to maximizing their potential as natural substances to improve human health.

REFERENCES

  1. Aja PM, Alum EU, Ezeani NN, Nwali BU, Edwin N. Comparative Phytochemical Composition of Cajanus cajan Leaf and Seed. International Journal of Microbiological Research, 2015; 6 (1):42-46.
  2. Asogwa FC, Okoye COB, Ugwu OPC, Edwin N, Alum EU, Egwu CO. Phytochemistry and Antimicrobial Assay of Jatropha curcas Extracts on Some Clinically Isolated Bacteria – A Comparative Analysis. European Journal of Applied Sciences. 2015; 7(1):12-16.DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ejas.2015.7.1.1125.
  3. Aja PM, Alum EU, Ezeani NN, Ibiam UA, Egwu CO. Comparative Phytochemical Evaluation of Dissotis rotundifolia Root and Leaf. Global Veterinaria, 2015; 14 (3): 418-424.DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2015.14.03.93131.
  4. Aja PM, Ugwu OPC, Nwobasi CS, Alum EU, Ekpono EU. Phytochemical and Antinutrient Compositions of Juglas regia Seeds. International Journal of Biology, Pharmacy and Allied Sciences (IJBPAS), 2017; 6 (2): 375-382.
  5. Offor CE, Ugwu OPC, Alum EU. The Anti-Diabetic Effect of Ethanol Leaf-Extract of Allium sativum on Albino Rats. International Journal of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. 2014; 4 (1): 01-03. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ijpms.2014.4.1.1103.
  6. Aja PM, Ani OG, Offor CE, Orji UO, Alum EU. Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Effect and Liver Enzymes Activity of Ethanol Extract of Pterocarpus santalinoides in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats. Global Journal of Biotechnology & Biochemistry. 2015; 10 (2): 77-83. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gjbb.2015.10.02.93128.
  7. Aja PM, Igwenyi IO, Ugwu OPC, Orji OU, Alum EU. Evaluation of Anti-diabetic Effect and Liver Function Indices of Ethanol Extracts of Moringa oleifera and Cajanus cajan Leaves in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats. Global Veterinari., 2015; 14(3): 439-447. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2015.14.03.93129.
  8. Agbafor KN, Onuoha SC, Ominyi MC, Orinya OF, Ezeani N, Alum EU. Antidiabetic, Hypolipidemic and Antiathrogenic Properties of Leaf Extracts of Ageratum conyzoides in Streptozotocin-Induced diabetic rats. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences. 2015; 4 (11): 816-824. http://www.ijcmas.com. https://www.ijcmas.com/vol-4-11/Agbafor,%20K.%20N,%20et%20al.pdf
  9. Yuan Y, Macquarrie D. Microwave assisted extraction of sulfated polysaccharides (fucoidan) from Ascophyllum nodosum and its antioxidant activity. Carbohydr. Polym. 2015;129:101–107. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.04.057. 
  10. Ercisli S, Gozlekci S, Sengul M, Hegedus A, Tepe S. Some physicochemical characteristics, bioactive content and antioxidant capacity of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) fruits from Turkey. Sci. Hortic.2012;148:185–189. doi: 10.1016/j.scienta.2012.10.001.
  11. Eisenhauer B, Natoli S, Liew G, Flood V. Lutein and zeaxanthin—Food sources, bioavailability and dietary variety in age-related macular degeneration protection. Nutrients. 2017;9:120. doi: 10.3390/nu9020120.
  12. Vallverdú-Coll N, Ortiz-Santaliestra ME, Mougeot F, Vidal D, Mateo R. Sublethal Pb exposure produces season-dependent effects on immune response, oxidative balance and investment in carotenoid-based coloration in red-legged partridges. Environ. Sci. Technol.2015;49:3839–3850. doi: 10.1021/es505148d.
  13. Cooperstone JL, Schwartz SJ. Recent insights into health benefits of carotenoids. In: Carle R., Schweigget R.M., editors. Handbook on Natural Pigments in Food and Beverages. Woodhead Publishing; Cambridge, UK: 2016. pp. 473–497.
  14. Kim SK, Wijesekara I. Sustained Energy for Enhanced Human Functions and Activity. Academic Press; Cambridge, MA, USA: 2017. Role of marine nutraceuticals in cardiovascular health; pp. 273–279.
  15. D’ Archivio M, Filesi C, Di Benedetto R, Gargiulo R, Giovannini C, Masella R. Polyphenols, dietary sources, and bioavailability. Ann. Ist. Super. 2007;43:348.
  16. Barreca D., Gattuso G., Bellocco E., Calderaro A., Trombetta D., Smeriglio A., Lagana G., Daglia M., Meneghini S., Nabavi S.M. Flavanones: Citrus phytochemical with health-promoting properties. BioFact. 2017;43:495–506. doi: 10.1002/biof.1363.
  17. Jiang N, Doseff AI, Grotewold E. Flavones: From Biosynthesis to Health Benefits. Plants. 2016;5:27. doi: 10.3390/plants5020027.
  18. Khoo HE, Azlan A, Tang ST, Lim SM. Anthocyanidins and anthocyanins: Colored pigments as food, pharmaceutical ingredients, and the potential health benefits. Food Nutri. Research. 2017;61:1361779. doi: 10.1080/16546628.2017.1361779.
  19. Offor CE, Anyanwu E, Alum EU, Egwu C. Effect of Ethanol Leaf-Extract of Ocimum basilicum on Plasma Cholesterol Level of Albino Rats. International Journal of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences. 2013; 3 (2): 11-13. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.ijpms.2013.3.2.1101
  20. Aja PM, Nwuguru ME, Okorie UC, Alum EU, Offor CE. Effect of Decoction Extract of Whitfieldia lateritia on Lipid Profiles in Hypercholesterolemic Albino Rats. Global Veterinaria. 2015; 14(3): 448-452. DOI: 10.5829/idosi.gv.2015.14.03.93130.
  21. Offor CE, Uko AU, Alum EU, Ugwu OPC, Agbafor KN.  Effect of Ethanol Leaf-Extract of Annona muricata on Liver Enzymes of Albino Rats. IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS). 2015; 4 (5): 99-103. DOI: 10.9790/1959-045399103.
  22. Bursal E, Gülçin İ. Polyphenol contents and in vitro antioxidant activities of lyophilised aqueous extract of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) Food Res. Int.2011;44:1482–1489. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2011.03.031.
  23. Hartsel JA, Eades J, Hickory B, Makriyannis. the chemical and sensory characteristics and mineral concentrations of ice cream. Food Res. Int. 2012;45:331–335. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2011.09.013.
  24. Nutraceuticals. Academic Press; Cambridge, MA, USA: 2016. Cannabis sativa and Hemp; pp. 735–754.
  25. Lafont R, Dauphin-Villemant C, Warren JT, Rees HH. Ecdysteroid chemistry and biochemistry. Ref. Mod. Life Sci. 2005;3:125–195. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-12-809633-8.04026-7.
  26. Liwa AC, Barton EN, Cole WC, NwokochaCR. Pharmacognosy. Academic Press; Cambridge, MA, USA: 2017. Bioactive plant molecules, sources and mechanism of action in the treatment of cardiovascular disease; pp. 315–336.
  27. Glencross B. Aquafeed Formulation. Academic Pres; Cambridge, MA, USA: 2016. Understanding the nutritional and biological constraints of ingredients to optimize their application in aquaculture feeds; pp. 33–73.
  28. Akihisa T, Zhang J, Tokuda H. Potentially chemopreventive triterpenoids and other secondary metabolites from plants and fungi. Stud. Nat. Prod. Chem. 2016;51:1–50. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63932-5.00001-2.
  29. Desai S, Desai D.G, Kaur H. Saponins and their biological activities.Pharma.Times. 2009;41:13–16.
  30. Dhingra D, Michael M, Rajput H, Patil RT. Dietary fibre in foods: A review. J. Food Sci. Technol. 2011;49:255–266. doi: 10.1007/s13197-011-0365-5.
  31. Offor CE, Ugwu OPC, Alum EU. Determination of ascorbic acid contents of fruits and vegetables. Int J Pharm Med Sci. 2015;5(1):1-3. doi:10.5829/ idosi.ijpms.2015.5.1.1105.
  32. Yalınkılıç B, Kaban G, Kaya M. The effects of different levels of orange fiber and fat on microbiological, physical, chemical and sensorial properties of sucuk. Food Microbiol. 2012;29:255–259. doi: 10.1016/j.fm.2011.07.013. 

CITE AS: Esther Ugo Alum and Okechukwu P. C. Ugwu (2023). Beyond Nutrients: Exploring the Potential of Phytochemicals for Human Health. IAA Journal of Applied Sciences 10(3):1-7. https://doi.org/10.59298/IAAJAS/2023/4.1.3211

DOWNLOAD PDF