Editorial: Secondary metabolites in beverage plant: metabolism, function, and regulation
secondary metabolites in beverage plants not only contribute distinctive sensory properties but also play crucial roles in plant development, such as acting as antioxidants for photoprotection, and endow health-promoting effects [2]. Nevertheless, the content and metabolic pathways of these secondary metabolites are highly sensitive to environmental conditions and are regulated by multiple factors, including plant variety, soil composition, growth environment, horticultural practices, harvesting time, processing techniques, and storage conditions [3]. This complexity gives rise to diverse and intricate biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites in beverage plants [4]. In conclusion, the study of secondary metabolites in beverage plants requires a comprehensive investigation into their metabolism, functional roles, and regulatory mechanisms.This editorial seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of studies addressing the metabolism, function, and regulation of secondary metabolites in beverage plants in this special issue, intended to expand our understanding of these compounds and their potential for enhancing flavor profiles and health benefits. The special issue comprises one review and eight original research articles investigating tea plants and their wild relatives, as well as multiple cultivars of coconut, wampee, and chrysanthemum. The
Authors
- Xuan Xu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1410-0873)
- Qi Zhang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1121-8817)
- Ligui Xiong
Institutions
- Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LU)
- Tea Research Institute (CN)
- Hunan Agricultural University (CN)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Frontiers in Plant Science
- Published
- 2026-01-06
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1762771
- Primary Topic
- Coconut Research and Applications
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00