The Latin American International Cooperative Biodiversity (Group ICBG) Bioactive Agents from Dryland Biodiversity of Latin America – Project INTA – Argentina – University of Arizona – USA – Agreement

FORTUNATO, R. H. & E. Y. SUÁREZ

Res. Adv. in Agricultural & Food Chem.

Global Research Network

Lugar: Kerala; Año: 2005 p. 29 - 32

This experimental effort, funded by the U.S. government, was done in cooperation with universities and research institutions from the USA, Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Also a U.S. pharmaceutical and agrochemical corporation was part of this project. Twelve centres were involved in this experimental effort, including biodiversity bioprospection, access and benefit sharing, chemical research, economical development, conservation and diffusion.             INTA/University of Arizona Agreement was part of this Project into the Latin American International Cooperative Biodiversity Group (ICBG), including also National University of Patagonia “San Juan Bosco” (UNPSJB) at Comodoro Rivadavia and CENPAT (CONICET) at Puerto Madryn in Argentina.             Main prospected areas in Argentina included Patagonia, Chaqueña and Yungas regions, from where more than 700 species were collected, classified, dried milled and sent to UNPSJB where extracts were produced and then sent to University of Arizona. This University distributed coded samples to other research centres in the US. From every sample herbarium specimens were obtained and kept at different national and foreign herbaria. Main bioactive agents found were those against bacteria but also antihelmintic, anticancer, fungicide, herbicide and antitubercular activities were found. About 10 % of plant species investigated from Argentina showed biological activities, for a set of assays, many of them developed by the pharmaceutical and agrochemical corporation. Fractioning and bioassay guided isolation and characterization of the active natural products were carried out by University of Arizona. Many novel molecules were discovered and published.             This controversial project initiated in 1993, previous to CBD ratification and the New National Constitution of 1994, has been used also as a model for legislative proposals on biodiversity, obtained the first National Permit for Access to Biodiversity in Argentina and also promoted the creation of the CONADIBIO (Commission in charge of Biodiversity matters into the National Secretary of Sustainable Development and Environmental Policy).