2. Vitamins
However, when one analyses plant, fungal and microbial cells,
one would see thousands of compounds other than these called primary
metabolites, e.g. alkaloids, flavonoids, rubber, essential oils, antibiotics,
coloured pigments, scents, gums, spices. These
are called secondary metabolites.
While primary metabolites have identifiable
functions and play known roles in normal
physiologial processes, we do not at the moment,
understand the role or functions of all the
‘secondary metabolites’ in host organisms.
However, many of them are useful to ‘human
welfare’ (e.g., rubber, drugs, spices, scents and
pigments). Some secondary metabolites have
ecological importance.
