Abstract
(Englisch)
|
Global terrestrial plant biodiversity remains a largely untapped source of natural bioactive compounds. In fact, valid sources are even
“hiding in plain sight”, yet not “within reach” due to lack of effective technical solutions to unlock their potential. In this context, the
PROSPLIGN consortium has developed an innovative bioprospecting approach that uses cutting-edge and complementary chemical
and enzymatic methods, supported by statistical analysis and coupled with high-throughput detection methods, to enable the
discovery of bioactive molecules from lignin, one of the fractions of the most abundant biopolymer on Earth (lignocellulose). Lignin
“chemical biodiversity” will enable PROSPLIGN to cover three target markets (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and fragrances) with a
combined market of >€1.4 trillion. The project will use lignin derived from 9 different species and investigate at least 3 different
chemical approaches and 10 different enzymes to obtain up to 1000 mixtures of lignin-derived compounds, and then pass a
progressively narrower “hit validation funnel” in industrially relevant environments, being screened via up to 17 different bioactivity
assays. Sustainable production routes for at least 2 of the most promising compounds per sector, directly or following derivatisation,
will be proposed. Compared to traditional approaches, PROSPLIGN's bioprospecting avoids animal cruelty, expensive exploration
efforts (no novel animal/plants discovery), disruptive extractions (seeking “hidden gems” in an abundant but underexploited
“biomass mine”), and directly targets the liberation of readily testable bio/chemical-functionality present in plant material, superior to
other approaches relying on “manipulation-intensive” microbial strain culture or “extrapolation” from DNA/RNA). Ultimately,
PROSPLIGN will contribute to a new generation of biobased bioactives, unlocking more value from existing sources whose immense
potential has yet to be harnessed.
|
