From phytochemistry to metabolomics: Eight decades of research in plant and food science

Abstract

Phytochemistry represents a large interdisciplinary research area which apply the chemical knowledge in plant biology, biochemistry and physiology. Since centuries, the technology related to the isolation and characterization of phytochemicals (plant secondary metabolites) developed gradually towards a holistic approach of omics’ technology, as part of the “systems biology” concept. This review underlines the scientific progress during the last eight decades, from “classical” phytochemistry to metabolomics, applied on plants and food and reflects not only the role of phytochemicals as key-molecules with essential roles in plants and with great benefits on animal and human health, but also their involvement in plant chemotaxonomy, food technology and authenticity. First, a selection of the major groups of phytochemicals and their main bioresources. The metabolomic technology is presented, as a high-throughput analytical platform to identify, by untargeted or targeted techniques, the fingerprint or key metabolites of a specific pathway in plants or for authentication of a food matrix. Updated literature data are presented, including a summary of eight decades of achievements of the research group related to Chemistry and Biochemistry of Natural Products at the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, celebrating now 150 years of existence.