Evolution and current status of ecological phytochemistry

Phytochemical studies have experienced a great change through the last century. This change has occurred mainly in two key points: the methodologies used in phytochemical studies and the point of view about why and for what reason secondary metabolites are present in plants and, by extension, in the rest of living organisms. The main question is to clarify the role that secondary metabolites play in the plant and if the resources invested in their production have or have not a reasonable reward in terms of advantages for survival. Some considerations in terms of evolution are made.