Influence of Ultraviolet Radiation on Plant Secondary Metabolite Production

Classification of major secondary metabolite groups is described. A short account is also given to ultraviolet (UV) climatology and UV response in plants. Investigations regarding secondary metabolite production in plants, in vitro cultivated plant cell and tissue cultures under UV radiation, particularly UV-B (280-315 nm) and UV-C (200-280 nm) are reviewed. The capacity of plants, callus and tissue cultures to accumulate secondary metabolite compounds after exposure to UV is discussed. The cell and tissue cultures possess high potential for production of valuable secondary metabolites under controlled conditions, and it seems perspective to enlarge the investigations in this direction by using low doses of UV as elicitors of such compounds.