Researchers from the University of Mohaghegh Ardabili and collaborators in Hungary have discovered that combining phenylalanine, an amino acid precursor, with ultrasound treatment can significantly enhance Taxol production in hazelnut cell cultures.
Taxol (paclitaxel) is a critical anti-cancer compound traditionally extracted from yew trees (Taxus spp.), but overharvesting and low yields have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. This study, published in Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (2025), investigated how exogenous phenylalanine and ultrasound treatments affect cell growth, secondary metabolite production, and expression of the taxadien-5α-ol-O-acetyltransferase (TDAT) gene — a key enzyme in the Taxol biosynthesis pathway.
The researchers treated hazelnut (Corylus avellana) cell suspensions with different phenylalanine concentrations (0–12.5 mg L⁻¹) and ultrasonic exposures (0–90 s). Optimal results were obtained with 7.5 mg L⁻¹ phenylalanine and 45 s ultrasound, which yielded the highest Taxol concentrations (192–208 ppm) and enhanced TDAT gene expression. Both treatments also improved antioxidant activity and increased phenolic and flavonoid contents.
The study highlights that phenylalanine acts as a biosynthetic precursor while ultrasound serves as a physical elicitor, together stimulating secondary metabolism and promoting Taxol accumulation.
This dual-treatment approach offers a scalable, eco-friendly strategy to produce Taxol from hazelnut cultures — potentially reducing dependency on endangered yew trees and supporting sustainable pharmaceutical development.
Reference
Jamali, M., Ghanbari, A., Estaji, A., Chamani, E., Naji, A. M., Panahirad, S., Ghohari, G., & Mirmazloum, I. (2025). Exogenous phenylalanine and ultrasound treatments improved Taxol biosynthesis in hazelnut cell culture. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 163(2), 50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11240-025-03254-5
Related posts:
Boosting Sunflower Growth in Saline Soils: The Role of Phosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria and Phosphorus-Enriched Biochar
Guava Leaf Additives Boost Shrimp Growth and Immunity, Offering Sustainable Alternative to Antibiotics
Breakthrough in Sustainable Boldine Production: Chilean Scientists Unlock Cambial Meristematic Cell System from Peumus boldus
Biochar-Enhanced Soil Treatment Cuts Antibiotic Resistance Genes by Over 59%
Sodium Selenite Boosts Growth and Selenium Uptake in Medicinal Trichosanthes kirilowii Seedlings
