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

Global natural antioxidants market is anticipated to grow on account of its increasing demand in food & beverages, cosmetics, pharmaceutical and animal feed. In this regard, we found high content of flavonoids and antioxidant activity (including antioxidant oligoelements) in the seeds of Araucaria araucana (piñones). However, bulk production of these antioxidants is ecologically non-viable since A. araucana is assessed as endangered species with increased extinction risk based in part by an extensive human harvesting of edible piñones. In this context, plant cell culture represents a useful production alternative to direct extraction of valuable secondary metabolites because: (a) a stable and uniform year-round supply of seed tissues or cells is guaranteed since biomass can be continuously produced in vitro, independent of seasonal variations, (b) selected compounds can be produced under controlled conditions, and moreover, (c) industrial production can be achieved while preserving the species. On the other hand, healthy plants can be easy obtained by micropropagation and then, the new plants can be acclimated to replant degraded areas of logged forest. At present, tissue and cell cultures from leaves and seeds, as well as plants, had been obtained in vitro from A. araucana and other native species. Furthermore, data of optimum conditions for in vitro production of antioxidants are being collected. The aim of these experiments is determine the varieties more adequate for the sustainable bio-based production of natural antioxidants by eco-efficient bio-processes and renewable bioresources.