Preface

Biosynthesis is a process of successive enzymatic reactions necessary to originate a specific biologically active natural metabolite. The knowledge of biosynthetic pathways and the factors that influence their regulation and accumulation is essential to monitor and optimize the mass production of these valuable metabolites, as they can occur through different pathways. Numerous natural sources synthesize a range of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on human health, mainly antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, anticancer, and dyslipidemia control effects. Among them are terpenic structures, phenolic compounds, and alkaloids, in addition to polysaccharides, peptides, and amino acids.

This book is a compilation of chapters on bioactive compounds with proven activities. It provides a valuable information source of bioactive compounds biosynthesized, which can be used for further development of bioproducts by industry. The volume is divided into the following sixteen chapters:

Chapter 1: "Introductory Chapter: An Overview on Bioactive Compounds with Focus in the Biosynthesis, Characterization and Applications"

Chapter 2: "Pharmacological Role of Biosynthetic Products"

Chapter 3: "Plants' Bioactive Metabolites and Extraction Methods"

Chapter 4: "Biosynthesis of Natural Products"

Chapter 5: "The Need to Use Microorganisms and Their Biosynthesized Bioactive Metabolites for Biological and Medical Activities"

Chapter 6: "Biosynthesis of Diverse Class Flavonoids *via* Shikimate and Phenylpropanoid Pathway"

Chapter 7: "Biosynthesis of the Immunomodulatory Molecule Capsular Polysaccharide A from *Bacteroides fragilis*"

Chapter 8: "Flavonoids: Understanding Their Biosynthetic Pathways in Plants and Health Benefits"

Chapter 9: "Sterols Biosynthesis in Algae"

Chapter 10: "Arginine Metabolism: An Enlightening Therapeutic Attribute for Cancer Treatment"

Chapter 11: "Electro-Spinning and Electro-Spraying as Innovative Approaches in Developing of a Suitable Food Vehicle for Polyphenols-Based Functional Ingredients"

Chapter 12: "Scope, Nutritional Importance and Value Addition in Palmyrah (*Borassus flabellifer L.*): An Under Exploited Crop"

Chapter 13: "Phenolic Compounds"

Chapter 14: " Polyphenols, Spices and Vegetarian Diet for Immunity and Anti-Inflammatory Drug Design"

Chapter 15: "Colon Available Bioactive Compounds Exhibits Anticancer Effect on *In-Vitro* Model of Colorectal Cancer"

Chapter 16: "Cysteine in Broiler Poultry Nutrition"

These chapters cover recent advances in knowledge about biosynthesized bioactive metabolites, including distribution, regulatory mechanisms, accumulation induction, environmental conditions, the impact of the use of advanced technologies, methods of obtaining, and bioactivity. This book is a valuable reference for researchers seeking to improve their knowledge of naturally produced bioactive metabolites.

> **Leila Queiroz Zepka, Tatiele Casagrande do Nascimento and Eduardo Jacob-Lopes** Food Science and Technology Department, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil

**Chapter 1**

Introductory Chapter: An

Compounds with Focus in the

Biosynthesis, Characterization

*Tatiele Casagrande do Nascimento, Eduardo Jacob-Lopes* 

Natural compounds have been used globally for thousands of years [1]. However,

According to a consensus established by [4], bioactive compounds are naturally

currently, a world trend towards health has considerably boosted the search for natural alternatives for health promotion [2]. Several naturally synthesized compounds have bioactive functions and have been explored for different applications, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industry. These substances are chemical

occurring essential and non-essential compounds that can positively influence human health. Nutritionally, they have also been called nutraceuticals since 1979 because when ingested, they provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition [4]. Bioactive compounds make up a highly heterogeneous set of molecules with different chemical structures and distributions in nature [5]. Broadly, these metabolites are divided into three main groups: terpenes and terpenoids, phenolic compounds and alkaloids [3]. Among them, carotenoids, sterols, flavonoids are

Most of the bioactive terpenes investigated are tetraterpenes with C40 skeletons [6]. formed from eight isoprenoid units (C5) and characterized by a central sequence of conjugated double bonds [7]. Similarly, sterols also belong to the group of terpenes, and they are triterpenes (C30) with a basic structure consisting of a tetracyclic ring and a C17 side chain [8]. The phenolic compounds flavonoids have low molecular weight, are consisting of 15 carbon atoms, organized in the basic configuration C6-C3-C6 [9]. In contrast, alkaloids are usually heterocyclic organic

In addition to the main groups, other molecules have been shown some bioactivity, such as polysaccharides, amino acids and peptides, indicating that the diversity of bioactive compounds is comprehensive and is in a growing process of exploration

Microorganisms, plants and animals offer many bioactive products of great interest for application in the food and pharmaceutical industry [3, 11]. According to [12], more than 80% and 30% of the active compounds used in food and medi-

compounds (basic pH) that contain nitrogen atoms [10].

cine, respectively, are obtained from natural sources.

and investigation in various sources.

structures that perform specialized functions at the biological level [3].

Overview on Bioactive

and Applications

*and Leila Queiroz Zepka*

**1. Overview**

frequent examples.
