Project Number: 3620-41000-125-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Oct 01, 2004
End Date: Sep 30, 2009

Objective:
Rapid and efficient methods will be developed to maximize production of significant quantities of purified-phytochemicals from plants, processed agricultural products and co-products, and plant tissue culture enhanced for phytochemical production. These phytochemicals will be used to evaluate their mode of action, determine dose requirements, and subsequently in the phytochemical evaluation of crude and processed agricultural products. Characterized phytochemicals, such as the saponins from soy and glucosinolates from crucifers, will be used to develop new agricultural pest control products, chemical feed stocks for industrial processes, and designer functional foods for humans and animals. The isolation and evaluation methods developed here will be used with minimal modification for the evaluation of other phytochemicals in biologically-active plant extracts. A key feature of this research is the development of collaborations with our analytical team, industrial; processors, bioassay researchers for both pest control and in mammalian cell systems, and mammalian nutritional research. This research will result in defined roles for phytochemicals and new/enhanced functional products and foods.

Approach:
Develop new or enhance existing protocols for the identification, quantitation, and elucidation of metabolic forms of phytochemicals from plant tissues, products, and by-products. Characterize phytochemicals from plants that demonstrate effective biological activity against agricultural pests; demonstrate biological activity in cell culture or nutritional studies; or have chemical functionality in industrial processes. Develop or optimize protocols for the induction of secondary metabolites and important economically-valuable phytochemicals and improve growth and morphogenesis in cultured plants, plant cells, plant tissues and organs.

Project Team

Berhow, Mark Vaughn, Steven Tisserat, Brent Isbell, Terry

Related National Programs

Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)

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