Revista de Farmacognosia e Produtos Naturais

Chemical Ecology Unraveling Nature's Secrets for Natural Product Discovery

Abstract

Leena Castanheiro

Chemical ecology is a multidisciplinary field that explores the chemical interactions between organisms and their environment. It delves into the chemical signals that shape ecological interactions, driving processes such as communication, defense and competition among organisms. Within this intricate web of interactions lies a treasure trove of natural compounds with potential applications in medicine, agriculture and industry. Chemical ecology focuses on the chemical compounds produced by organisms and their roles in ecological interactions. These compounds can serve various functions, including communication, defense against predators, attraction of mates and competition for resources. For example, pheromones are chemical signals used by organisms to communicate with members of the same species, playing crucial roles in mating, territory marking and aggregation. Communication lies at the heart of many ecological interactions and chemical signals play a significant role in this process. Organisms release volatile compounds into the environment, which can be detected by other individuals, often over long distances. These chemical signals can convey information about mating availability, territory ownership, or the presence of predators or prey. For instance, plants release Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) to attract pollinators or to defend against herbivores.