Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds are both chemical compounds that are produced by natural resources such as plants. They have a wide range of benefits. Some bioactive compounds are also considered phytochemicals, depending on their source.
The key difference between phytochemicals and bioactive compounds is their source. Phytochemicals are compounds produced by plants in order to protect themselves, while bioactive compounds are plant- or animal-based compounds that have health benefits for humans.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Phytochemicals
3. What are Bioactive Compounds
4. Similarities – Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds
5. Phytochemicals vs Bioactive Compounds in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Phytochemicals vs Bioactive Compounds
7. FAQ – Phytochemicals vs Bioactive Compounds
What are Phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals are chemical compounds that have plant origins. They generally help plants resist fungi, bacteria, and plant virus infections. They also provide plant protection against consumption by insects and other animals.
Many phytochemicals also happen to have bioactive health properties. In fact, phytochemicals have anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory health benefits. Furthermore, some well-known examples of phytochemicals include polyphenols and carotenoids.
Figure 01: Carotenoid
What are Bioactive Compounds?
A bioactive compound is a chemical substance that has biological activity that directly affects a living organism. This effect can be positive or negative depending on the substance, dose, and bioavailability. Bioactive compounds are normally derived from plants and animal products. They can also be synthetically produced. Some examples of plant bioactive compounds are carotenoids, polyphenols, or phytosterols. Meanwhile, some examples of bioactive compounds in animal products are fatty acids found in milk and fish.
Some other examples are flavonoids, caffeine, choline, coenzyme-Q, creatine, dithiolthiones, resveratrol, polysaccharides, phytoestrogens, glucosinolates, and prebiotics. Most bioactive compounds lack sufficient evidence of effect or safety, and they are consequently sold as dietary supplements.
Figure 02: Bioactive Compounds
Similarities Between Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds
- Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds are both chemical compounds that are produced naturally.
- These compounds can be produced by plants.
- Both these compounds have a wide range of benefits.
- Some bioactive compounds are also considered phytochemicals, depending on their source.
Difference Between Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds
Definition
- Phytochemicals are chemical compounds of plant origin that help protect plants from predators and environmental challenges.
- Bioactive compounds are chemical substances derived from plants or animals that act in the human body and may promote good health.
Origin
- Phytochemicals are produced from plants.
- Bioactive compounds are produced from plants, animal products, or synthetically produced.
Function
- Phytochemicals help protect the plant from viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites and have bioactive health properties.
- Bioactive compounds have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Examples
- Some examples of phytochemicals are polyphenols and carotenoids.
- Some examples of bioactive compounds are carotenoids, polyphenols, fatty acids found in milk and fish, creatine, flavonoids, caffeine, choline, coenzyme-Q, dithiolthiones, resveratrol, polysaccharides, phytoestrogens, glucosinolates, and prebiotics.
The following table summarizes the difference between phytochemicals and bioactive compounds.
Summary – Phytochemicals vs Bioactive Compounds
Phytochemicals and bioactive compounds are two associated chemical compounds. This is because some bioactive compounds are also considered phytochemicals, depending on their source. However, phytochemicals are chemicals produced by plants that generally help plants resist fungi, bacteria, viruses, insects, and other animals, while bioactive compounds are substances derived from plants or animals that provide health benefits to humans. This is the main difference between phytochemicals and bioactive compounds.
FAQ: Phytochemicals and Bioactive Compounds
1. What are the two main types of phytochemicals?
- Phytochemicals that are under research can be classified into major categories, like carotenoids and polyphenols, which may include phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, or lignans.
2. What is the function of phytochemicals?
- Plants produce phytochemicals. In fact, they are part of the plant’s immune system and thus protect the plant from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Some phytochemicals can offer humans some of that same protection.
3. What is the role of bioactive compounds in plants?
- Bioactive compounds are found in vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as well as in many other plants and animal products. They can also be synthetically produced. Bioactive compounds can usually exhibit various physical effects, such as antioxidant, antithrombotic, and antihypertensive activities.
4. What are some bioactive compounds?
- Bioactive compounds have actions in the human body that may promote good health. Some examples of bioactive compounds are resveratrol, lignan, lycopene, tannins, and indoles.
5. What are the benefits of resveratrol?
- Beginning in the 1990s, scientists began to focus on resveratrol’s health benefits. Resveratrol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, immunomodulatory, glucose and lipid regulatory, neuroprotective, and cardiovascular protective effects.
Reference:
1. “What Are Phytochemicals? (And Why Should You Eat More of Them?).” UCLA Health.
2. “Bioactive Compound.” ScienceDirect.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Beta-Carotin” By NEUROtiker – Own work (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
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