Plant-Derived Terpenoids: A Plethora of Bioactive Compounds with Several Health Functions and Industrial Applications—A Comprehensive Overview

Out of a staggering 177,633 published papers, how do scientists make sense of nature's most versatile chemical architects? Plant-derived terpenoids are quietly powering everything from new medicines to sustainable cosmetics.

Terpenoids are a massive class of natural secondary plant metabolites built from simple five-carbon isoprene units. Beyond helping plants grow and develop, these structurally diverse compounds pack an extraordinary biological punch. They boast antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, and even anticancer properties, making them powerhouses for the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and medical industries.

A comprehensive review spanning literature from 2010 to 2024—filtering 196 high-reliability studies from global databases—dives deep into how these molecules are made. Researchers are mapping out the complex metabolic pathways responsible for core and specialized terpenoids, looking closely at both volatile and non-volatile metabolites.

Crucially, science is not just cataloging these health-promoting compounds; it is finding better ways to harvest them. The latest research highlights emerging and green extraction methods, transforming these sustainable plant sources into high-value industrial ingredients while pointing the way forward for future discoveries.

Key Points

• Built from isoprene units with vast structural diversity
• Powerful health properties including antioxidant and anticancer effects
• Sustainable industrial applications and emerging green extraction methods