In Vitro Biosynthesis of Natural Products in Plant Roots

Various plants are composed of structurally and chemically diverse secondary metabolites. Especially plant root systems are remarkable accumulators of high-valued phytomedicines. But the production of different secondary metabolites in the root system can be limited. Also, enhanced and controlled synthesis of secondary metabolites in plants is challenging. Plant tissue culture holds great promise for ecofriendly, economical and industrial-scale production of phytochemicals and natural bioactive compounds. Use of elicitors for enhanced de novo synthesis of natural products from roots cultures can be used as effective alternative strategies for improved productivity of bioactive compounds. Elicitation involves signaling pathway, which transfers the extracellular stimulus to the inside plant cell, leading to molecular and physiological changes for their better survival, persistence and competitiveness, and activates the synthesis for different compounds. The present article sheds light on the use of different elicitors including abiotic (physical and chemical) and biotic (bacteria, fungi and hormones), which enhance the accumulation of secondary metabolites in the root system of medicinal plants.