Natural Product Bioactivity and Phytochemical Analysis
Summary
Natural products constitute a vast and chemically diverse repertoire of secondary metabolites derived from plants, microorganisms and marine organisms. Their inherent structural complexity underpins a wide range of biological activities, including antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Phytochemical analysis employs advanced chromatographic and spectrometric techniques to profile these bioactive compounds, revealing classes such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids and phenolic acids. Recent innovations in high-resolution mass spectrometry and metabolomics have enabled comprehensive fingerprinting of plant extracts, facilitating the discovery of novel leads and the standardisation of botanical medicines. Bioactivity assays, from in vitro enzyme inhibition to cellular and in silico docking studies, elucidate mechanisms of action and potency, while extraction methods and solvent selection critically influence the yield and spectrum of detectable compounds. Together, these approaches inform the development of natural products as therapeutic agents, nutraceuticals and agrochemicals. An interdisciplinary interface between chemistry, biology and informatics is essential to accelerate the translation of phytochemicals into practical applications, address challenges of reproducibility and sustainability, and harness the global diversity of plant biodiversity for human health and environmental stewardship.
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Natural Product Bioactivity and Phytochemical Analysis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in natural product bioactivity and phytochemical analysis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Phytochemicals: Biologically active compounds produced by plants, including flavonoids, alkaloids and terpenoids.
Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties found widely in fruits and vegetables.
Alkaloids: Nitrogen-containing natural products often exhibiting potent pharmacological activities.
Terpenoids: Large and structurally diverse class of organic chemicals derived from isoprene units, noted for antimicrobial and anticancer effects.
LC-HRMS: Liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry, a technique for precise identification and quantification of metabolites.
Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): The lowest concentration of a compound required to inhibit visible growth of a microorganism.
References
- Recent Advances in the Nutritional Value, Chemical Compositions, Pharmacological Activity, and Application Value of Orychophragmus violaceus: A Comprehensive Review. Molecules (2024).
- Elucidating the antimicrobial and anticarcinogenic potential of methanolic and water extracts of edible Tragopogon coelesyriacus Boiss.. Food Science & Nutrition (2024).
- Influence of Extraction Techniques and Solvents on the Antioxidant and Biological Potential of Different Parts of Scorzonera undulata. Life (2023).
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