An insight into stress induced phytocompounds produced in common crops related to metal survival

Plants suffer heavily from oxidative stress while exposed to heavy metals that cause damage and alter cellular homeostasis leading to the death of plants. The toxicity of heavy metals is, however, counterbalanced by complex cellular, physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms which together allow plants to grow proficiently even under metal stressed conditions. Among various metal toxicity alleviation strategies, the production of phytocompounds plays a central role in circumventing metal stress. The biosynthesis of phytochemicals including high molecular mass antioxidant enzymes and low molecular compounds like phenolics, proline, salicylic acid, phytochelatins and metallothioneins favor survival and supports the growth of plants during stress. The role of stress-induced phytocompounds in combating metal toxicity is, however, poorly researched. In this mini-review, the abiotic stress tolerance strategies impacted by different enzymatic and non-enzymatic phytochemicals synthesized and secreted by plants exposed to heavy metals are highlighted. The phytochemicals mediated metal removal approaches provide an option for enhancing the growth and development of plants under abiotic stresses.