Juan Pablo Arias

Plant biotechnology is a powerful tool that has enabled the transformation of plant cells into small-scale biofactories to produce secondary metabolites. These compounds can be synthesized in laboratory settings on a large scale, independent of spatial, resource, or environmental constraints. Identifying plant species with promising phytochemical profiles is crucial to obtaining bioactive products with high market demand and commercial value. The purpose of the present review is to highlight the potential of Annona deceptrix as a biotechnological resource, based on findings from previous studies conducted on other Annona species. Despite belonging to a botanical family with a well-established track record in the production of characteristic and biologically active secondary metabolites—particularly those with agrochemical relevance—A. deceptrix remains underutilized and understudied. Exploring its biotechnological potential is essential, as establishing this species in vitro would allow the development of callus production protocols, characterization of its cell growth kinetics, and the subsequent extraction of high-quality bioactive compounds. These extracts could serve as innovative solutions to challenges across various industries, ultimately leading to the development of marketable final products.

Thevetia peruviana is an ornamental shrub with ethnobotanical uses related to secondary metabolites, including cardiac glycosides (CG), phenolic compounds (PC), and flavonoids (Fv). Known for its cardiac, antioxidant, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities, this study aimed to culture T. peruviana cells immobilized in calcium alginate and evaluate the effects of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA) on biomass and metabolite production. Immobilization was performed with 3% (w/v) sodium alginate and 100 mM CaCl₂ in Schenk and Hildebrandt medium. Cultures were maintained for 20 days, reaching a maximum biomass concentration of 7.45 ± 0.49 g DW/L on day 10, compared to 13.92 ± 0.34 g DW/L in free cell cultures. Immobilization reduced biomass concentration but increased the production of secondary metabolites at 10–11 days. This suggests that the alginate matrix acts as an abiotic stress factor, directing carbon consumption and energy flow toward the biosynthesis of PC, Fv, and CG. Additionally, treatment with SA (300 µM) and MeJA (3 µM) during the exponential phase increased metabolite secretion at 48–72 h post-elicitation. SA-treated cultures showed PC, Fv, and CG levels 2.24, 1.66, and 1.37 times higher than controls, respectively, while MeJA increased these levels by 1.24, 1.83, and 1.25 times. Exogenous SA and MeJA stimulate the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites in calcium alginate-immobilized T. peruviana cells; and facilitate the diffusion of metabolites into the extracellular medium. However, further studies are needed to validate this hypothesis. Graphical abstract

Annona deceptrix (Westra) H. Rainer belongs to the Annonaceae family which is known to have bioactivities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflamatory, pesticide, among others. A. deceptrix ethanolic seed and leaf extracts obtained by three extraction methods (Soxhlet, ultrasound, and maceration) were tested for phytochemical and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical screening of plant extracts revealed the presence of catechins, triterpenes, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, amino acids, cardiac glycosides, anthocyanidins, reducing sugars, and saponins. Quantitative determination of total phenolic, flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activities of extracts was carried out using colorimetric methods. The highest total phenolic content was 58.14 and 54.08 mg GAE/g DW for Soxhlet extracts from leaves and seeds, respectively. The highest total flavonoid content was 5.03 and 4.42 mg QE/ g DW for macerated and ultrasound-assisted extracts from leaves, respectively. Antioxidant activity by the DPPH method was 196.07 and 146.53 μmol TE/g DW for Soxhlet extracts from seeds and leaves, respectively, and by the ABTS method was 582.68 and 580.40 μmol TE/g DW for Soxhlet and macerated extracts from leaves, respectively. Further research is needed to optimize the use of such bioactive compounds produced by Annona deceptrix and apply their biological activities in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, or agrochemical industries.

Thevetia peruviana is an ornamental shrub grown-up in many tropical region of the world. This plant produces secondary metabolites with biological properties of interest for the pharmaceutical industry. The objective was to determine the secondary metabolites profile of callus and cell suspension cultures of T. peruviana and compare them with those from explant (fruit pulp). Extracts in 50% aqueous ethanol and ethyl acetate were prepared. The phytochemical analysis was performed using standard chemical tests and thin layer chromatography. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoids compounds (TPC and TFC), total cardiac glycosides (TCG) and total antioxidant activity (TAA) was determined during the cell suspension growth. Phenolic chemical profile was also analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Common metabolites (alkaloids, amino acids, antioxidants, cardiac glycosides, leucoanthocyanidins, flavonoids, phenols, sugars and triterpenes) were detected in all samples. The maximum production of extracellular TCG, TPC, TFC and TAA in cells suspensions were at 6-12 days; in contrast, intracellular content was relatively constant during the exponential grown phase (0 to 12-days). HPLC analysis detected one compound with retention time at 11.6 min; this compound was tentatively identified as dihydroquercetin, a flavonoid with anti-cancer properties. These results provide evidence on the utility of the in vitro cell cultures of T. peruviana for valuable pharmaceutical compounds production.

Actividad antimicrobiana de cultivos de callos y suspensiones celulares de Thevetia peruviana