Researchers develop flu drug ingredient from carrots
They obtained shikimic acid, the raw material used in influenza drugs, from the vegetable using an alternative process to genetic engineering
Researchers from the FEMSA Centre of Biotechnology at Technologic of Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico have designed a technology that uses grated carrot to obtain phenolic compounds that have the potential to prevent cancer, and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
The team obtained shikimic acid with this alternative process to genetic engineering for the overproduction of bioactive compounds in vegetable tissue, which is a raw material used in the production of an antiviral for the treatment against flu.
The project, led by Daniel Alberto Jacobo Velázquez, won the National Award in Food Science and Technology (PNCTA) 2012 in the Technology Professional in Food category. He has applied for a patent of production, extraction and purification of phenolic compounds and shikimic acid using the proposed technology.
Velázquez explained that the team activated the carrot’s metabolism using cut stress (grating) and then applied a herbicide called glyphosate that inhibits enzymes. This technique made it possible to accumulate large amounts of shikimic acid and phenolic compounds in the plant tissue.
'The first four parts of the research have been completed; we have figured out the mechanism by which the carrot produces this compound when subjected to stress. Now, are looking to optimise the production so the plant tissue will secrete more of this compound. Afterwards we’d like to extract it to produce dietary supplements and shikimic acid. The shikimic acid is the raw material that the pharmaceutical industry needs to produce flu treatments such as Tamiflu.'
The team used carrot because it responds to different types of stress and is cultivated worldwide so this technology could be extrapolated to other parts of the globe. The process also gives an added value to the vegetables, because in Mexico tons of them are wasted every year.
Velázquez also pointed out that currently, shikimic acid is extracted from the Star anise, which is only produced in China; in contrast, the carrot is cultivated in many regions worldwide.
Besides shikimic acid, phenolic compounds are also obtained, which help to prevent diseases in humans, mainly because of its antioxidant potential that aids in the neutralisation of free radicals in the blood stream, preventing chronic degenerative diseases.