Chemotaxonomy is a type of classification of animals and plants based on their chemical and biochemical composition. The classification was established and used for the first time in the 15th and 16th centuries by Newmann, James Petiver, and Grew. The basis of the classification is that proteins are encoded by genes. So, the chemical composition of proteins is a more reliable method to genetically distinguish between organisms. In the case of plants, secondary metabolites are considered as well.

The compounds which are studied for chemotaxonomy are nucleic acids, amino acids, peptides, and many more. It is widely used in cases of plants.

Chemotaxonomy

Chemotaxonomy is considered to be a better way of differentiation of plants and also understand the relationships between plants. The plants can be linked on the basis of semantics, primary and secondary metabolites. Using chemotaxonomy, plants are classified into flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, fatty acids, carotenoids, and terpenoids.

Examples of chemotaxonomy are: Volatile oils are found in the family Umbelliferae and family Rutaceae

• It is a classification method based on amino acids, proteins, DNA sequences, alkaloids, crystals, betacyanins, and other chemical elements of organisms. Plant chemical components are often distinct and stable.
• They are not easily swayed. Plants were identified by their scent, flavor, and other chemical qualities in ancient times.
• Only 35 families of calcium oxalate crystals, such as raphides, exist. Similarly, some alkaloids are only found in a few closely related families, such as the benzylisoquinoline alkaloid found in the Papaveraceae, Berberidaceae, and Ranunculaceae families.

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By Team Learning Mantras