Plant-based products

Fischer, R., Stoger, E., Schillberg, S. etal. (2004) Plant-based production of biopharmaceuticals. Current Opinion in Plant Biology, 1 (2), 152-158. 

Plant-based production systems are now being used commercially for the synthesis of foreign proteins [1-3]. Post-translational modification in plant cells is similar to that carried out by animal cells plant cells are also able to fold multimeric proteins correctly. The sites of glycosylation on plant-produced mammalian proteins are the same as on the native protein however, processing of N-linked glycans in the secretory pathway of plant cells results in a more diverse array of glycoforms than is produced in animal expression systems [4]. Glycoprotein activity is retained in plant-derived mammalian proteins. 

The plant-based production of vaccines is a potentially transformative technology, but the use of a similar technology for agricultural biotechnology has stimulated significant public debate, especially focused on genetically modified foods (GM foods). 

Tab. 13.2 Comparison of different plant-based production systems.

Other assays have been used to evaluate the antioxidant activity against H202 of several plant-based products, namely, fruit juices from different cultivars of berries (Wang and Jiao 2000), fractions rich in phenolics isolated from the aqueous by-products obtained during the milling of oil palm fruits (Balasundram and others 2005), cherry laurel fruit and its concentrated juice (Liyana-Pathirana and others 2006), and strawberries and blackberries treated with methyl jasmonate, allyl isothiocyanate, essential oil of Melaleuca alternifolia, and ethanol (Chanjirakul and others 2007). 

Pickled and salt-preserved foods, in particular plant-based products (pickled vegetables) in which microbial reduction of nitrate to nitrite occurs. Foodstuffs stored under humid conditions favouring fungal contamination, particularly the growth of Fusarium moniliforme. 

Plant oils and other plant-based products having a physical effect... 

Plant-based products obtained by direct extraction from a native producer, or by semi-synthesis (e.g. taxol) No Yes No... 

Hood, E.E. and Jilka, J.M. (1999). Plant-based production of xenogenic proteins. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 10(4) 382-386. 

Russell, D. A., (1999). Plant-based production of monoclonal antibodies From field to clinic. Proc. Antibody Prod. Downstream Process., San Diego, CA, 1999. 

Since the ancient past many plant-based products have been used in meeting food, medicine, shelter and cultural needs. In many countries, traditional people beheved and based their health-care and medicinal needs on plants (as well as insects, animals) found in their environment to cure specific ailments, enhance health and beauty, improve health and nutrition and for religious and spiritual... 

Fischer R, Stoger E, Schillberg S, et al. Plant-based production of biopharmaceuticals. Curr. Opin. Plant Biol., 2004 7(2) 152-158. 

This chapter reviews progress and challenges in the area of production of recombinant proteins, in particular biopharmaceuticals, in plants. Different expression platforms are summarized, including those based on the use of transgenic, transplastomic or transfected plants as production hosts. The quality and yield of recombinant proteins produced in and purified from plants, as well as progress in clinical trials with plant-made pharmaceutical proteins are described. The advantages, limitations and biological safety aspects of plant-based production of biopharmaceuticals are discussed. 

Numerous reviews concerning plant molecular farming have been published in recent years [1-6]. Analysis of these reviews and of recent research publications shows a change of priorities in the perceived advantages of plants as production hosts for recombinant proteins. Initially, the emphasis was on unhmited scalability and low cost of plant-based production, whereas yield and biosafety issues were not properly addressed. However, the last two parameters are crucial for determining the economics and, consequently the chances for commercial success of each specific plant-based system. 

Plants are everywhere and are necessary to sustain life. The practice of horticulture, therefore, has multiple applications that are important to society. In addition, modern technology has resulted in a greater diversity in plant-based products. 

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