Plant Constituents: Carbohydrates, Oils, Resins, Balsams, and Plant Hormones

A wide diversity of plant constituents exist in nature, possessing great structural variety and function. Some of these compounds, like carbohydrates, are classified as primary metabolites, while others, including tannins, alkaloids, etc., are by-products of secondary metabolism. Carbohydrates are the most abundant organic compounds. They vary in structure from simple sugars to complex large molecular weight complexes and are widely utilized by plants and animals. Essential and nonessential oils have been used over many millennia to alleviate ailments and for general health and well-being. The entire economies of some countries are built around these products as they play key roles as nutraceuticals and are also important in the perfume, confectionery, and food industries. Resins, balsams, and plant hormones are important for plant metabolism and survival. Overall, many of these products possess nutraceutical and pharmacological properties that can be utilized for health and wellness.