Term: secondary metabolites
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05526

Definition:
Metabolites which are produced by routes other than the normal metabolic pathways, mostly after the phase of active growth and under conditions of deficiency. The biological significance of many secondary metabolites is not exactly known.

Related Terms:
1) metabolites (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M03859).

Source: PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 165 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)

Citation: 'secondary metabolites' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05526

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