About this Research Topic
Plant-based bioprocesses have become a prospective path in Chemical engineering, having a wide variety of industrial applications. Plants produce a wide range of secondary metabolites with applications ranging from the production of biofuels to the production of high-value chemicals and pharmaceuticals, with the benefit of using plant biomass as a sustainable feedstock that contributes to develop natural products and sustainable processes. The intersection between plant biology and chemical engineering through the establishment of plant cell culture in bioreactors has enabled controlled environments to optimize productivity, ensured product quality, reduced input requirements compared to traditional production, and allowed the scalable production of plant-based compounds.
The plant kingdom has made remarkable contributions to the chemical industry, with approximately 25% of drugs originating from or being derived from natural sources. Plants contain organic molecules with biological activity, which are recovered and manufactured through engineering processes. However, a significant challenge arises as bioactive compounds contained in plant tissues are generally found in very low concentrations, representing less than 1% wt. To overcome this obstacle, biotechnological processes have been developed to enhance the content of bioactive compounds in plant cells, alongside cells suspension cultures and bioreactors emerging as a reliable and secure alternative for large-scale production. These alternatives can provide controlled growth conditions, enabling optimized cell growth and consistent production of high-quality compounds. The integration of advanced techniques such as metabolic engineering and elicitation, bioreactor-based production systems offer sustainable and efficient synthesis, reduces reliance on limited natural resources and minimizes environmental impact. In turn, this contributes to the development of industrial sectors such as food, agriculture, and medical services, where bioactive materials find extensive applications.
This Research Topic on "Advances in plant-based bioprocesses to produce secondary metabolites" will highlight recent advances in the use of plants as a source of secondary metabolites as high-value compounds, and the implementation of bioprocesses to develop and innovate processes for large-scale production. The main objective is to improve the production of secondary metabolites obtained from materials of plant origin by establishing in vitro cell cultures, scaling processes to bioreactors, and optimizing culture conditions which ultimately contributes to the development of more sustainable manufacturing processes.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Exploring bioprocesses strategies utilizing plant cell cultures to produce secondary metabolites
• Impact of plant growth regulators on the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds
• Evaluation of optimal process conditions to enhance the efficient production of natural products in bioreactors
• Pioneering innovative approaches for the plant cells culture in pursuit of enhanced yields and productivity
• Novel advancements in the production of natural products through cutting-edge methodologies
The plant kingdom has made remarkable contributions to the chemical industry, with approximately 25% of drugs originating from or being derived from natural sources. Plants contain organic molecules with biological activity, which are recovered and manufactured through engineering processes. However, a significant challenge arises as bioactive compounds contained in plant tissues are generally found in very low concentrations, representing less than 1% wt. To overcome this obstacle, biotechnological processes have been developed to enhance the content of bioactive compounds in plant cells, alongside cells suspension cultures and bioreactors emerging as a reliable and secure alternative for large-scale production. These alternatives can provide controlled growth conditions, enabling optimized cell growth and consistent production of high-quality compounds. The integration of advanced techniques such as metabolic engineering and elicitation, bioreactor-based production systems offer sustainable and efficient synthesis, reduces reliance on limited natural resources and minimizes environmental impact. In turn, this contributes to the development of industrial sectors such as food, agriculture, and medical services, where bioactive materials find extensive applications.
This Research Topic on "Advances in plant-based bioprocesses to produce secondary metabolites" will highlight recent advances in the use of plants as a source of secondary metabolites as high-value compounds, and the implementation of bioprocesses to develop and innovate processes for large-scale production. The main objective is to improve the production of secondary metabolites obtained from materials of plant origin by establishing in vitro cell cultures, scaling processes to bioreactors, and optimizing culture conditions which ultimately contributes to the development of more sustainable manufacturing processes.
We welcome the submission of Original Research, Review, Mini Review, and Perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Exploring bioprocesses strategies utilizing plant cell cultures to produce secondary metabolites
• Impact of plant growth regulators on the biosynthesis of bioactive compounds
• Evaluation of optimal process conditions to enhance the efficient production of natural products in bioreactors
• Pioneering innovative approaches for the plant cells culture in pursuit of enhanced yields and productivity
• Novel advancements in the production of natural products through cutting-edge methodologies
Keywords: Bioactive compounds, bioreactors, plant cell culture, secondary metabolites, bioprocess innovation
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
