What is Phytochemistry?
                     WHAT IS 
PHYTOCHEMISTRY?
What Are Phytochemicals?
The prefix phyto means plant, and phytochemicals are 
plant-derived chemicals with bioactive properties (that is to 
say, they are natural chemicals with specific effects on 
health). 
Source: study.com
About Phytochemicals
Phytochemicals are found in all plant foods, including fruits, 
vegetables, legumes, nuts, grains, tea, wine, spices, and 
more. Phytochemicals are protective for plants against 
ultraviolet light, predators, insects, and disease. 
Source: study.com
Act as pigments
Many phytochemicals also act as pigments and give fruits 
and vegetables their varied and bright hues. Examples of 
phytochemical pigments are the orange in carrots and the 
blue in blueberries. 
Source: study.com
Types of Phytochemicals
At least 10,000 different kinds of phytochemicals are 
known to exist, but only a handful of them have been 
studied in detail. Phytochemicals are separated into 
different categories based on their chemical structure.
Source: study.com
Classification of Phytochemicals
The twelve major classifications of phytochemicals are 
polyphenols, carotenoids, glucosinolates, polysaccharides, 
lectins, terpenes, alkaloids, polyacetylenes, allium 
compounds, chlorophyll, capsaicinoids, and betalains. 
Source: study.com
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are polyphenols. They are also pigments and 
water-soluble, so they do not require fat in the diet to be 
absorbed. Flavonoids are of great research interest 
because of their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective 
properties. 
Source: study.com
Carotenoids
Carotenoids include over 700 different phytochemical 
pigments. Some of these carotenoids are responsible for 
the yellow, orange, and red hues found in many plant 
foods. 
Source: study.com
Lutein
Lutein is a xanthophyll and one of 600 known naturally 
occurring carotenoids. Lutein is synthesized only by plants, 
and like other xanthophylls is found in high quantities in 
green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale and yellow 
carrots
Source: study.com
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