secondary metabolites

https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.S05526
@M03859@ 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.
Source:
PAC, 1992, 64, 143. (Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)) on page 165 [Terms] [Paper]