Osmoprotectants - A plant strategy in response to osmotic stress

Organic solutes can act like osmoprotectants, playing an important role in the reduction of the damage caused by osmotic stress in higher plants. Many soluble nitrogen compounds can play this role. Betaines, polyamines, proli ne, and amino acids in general are among these compounds. Proline is one of the osmolytes most frequently synthesized in plants under osmotic stress. Moreover, among these compounds, some soluble carbohydrates, such as trehal ose and glucose; some alcohols, such as glycerol and mannitol; and various soluble proteins that are accumulated in response to stress stand out. The aim of this work is to discuss the function of these various plant osmoprot ectants and how they act under osmotic stress.