Biochemistry of prey digestion and nutrient absorption

Digestion of captured prey and retrieval of nutrients by plants is a central feature of carnivorous plants. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the composition of digestive fluids and the general mechanisms of prey digestion in carnivorous plant genera. Genus-specific features and enzyme regulatory mechanisms are presented that might contribute to the success and efficiency of carnivory in the Caryophyllales. The available evidence for the hypothesis that proteins involved in prey decomposition evolved as a result of a functional shift from defense-related activities is presented.