Tissue plant culture as a novel industrial strategy to produce biopharmaceuticals from endangered plants

GALLIA M.C.; FERRARI A.; ECHEVERRI DEL SARTO J.; BONGIOVANNI G.A.

Barcelona

Congreso; 24th International Academic Conference; 2016

International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences

Global market of natural antioxidants is anticipated to grow up considering its increasing demand on food & beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and animal feed. In this regard, we found antioxidant activity in the seeds of ?Pehuen? trees (Araucaria araucana; Fig. 1). However, bulk production of these antioxidants is ecologically non-viable since A. araucana was assessed as an endangered specie, with increased extinction risk based in part on extensive human harvesting of edible seeds (?piñón?; Fig. 2). In this context, plant cell culture represents a useful production alternative to direct extraction of valuable secondary metabolites. At present, tissue and cell cultures from leaves and seeds, as well as plants, are being obtained in vitro from A. araucana and other native species. Furthermore, data of optimum conditions for in vitro antioxidants production is being collected. The aim of these experiments is to determine the optimums protocols for the sustainable bio-based production of natural antioxidants by eco-efficient bio-processes and renewable bioresources