Journal of Molecular Sciences

A bioactive compound is a compound that has an organic activity with effect on a living organism, tissue /cell. These compounds contain chemicals that are found in small volumes in plants and particular foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, oils and whole grains bioactive compounds are distinguished from essential nutrients on the basis of being essential and non- essential for the living organism In the field of nutrition. Bioactive compounds are not essential for the body as the body can survive and function properly without them but the case is not same with nutrients .nutrients are essential to the sustainability of a body,. Bioactive compounds can have an impact on health. Bioactive compounds are found in both plant and animal products or can be produced synthetically. Bioactive compounds in the plants can be identified as secondary plant metabolites causing pharmacological or toxicological effects in humans and animals. Some of the plant bioactive compounds are carotenoids and polyphenols, or phytosterols. Bioactives in animal products are fatty acids, found in milk and fish. Some examples of bioactive compounds are flavonoids, caffeine, carotenoids etc