Using Plants as Bio-Factories for Producing Animal-Derived Nutrients

Recent research published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry has explored the potential of plants as bio-factories for producing animal-derived nutrients traditionally found in workout supplements. The study focuses on the synthesis of creatine, carnosine, and taurine within plant systems, providing a novel approach to fortifying plant-based diets.

Certain essential vitamins and nutrients, particularly specific amino acids and peptides, are predominantly sourced from animals. However, scientists have developed a method that enables plants to produce these compounds by integrating synthetic genetic modules into their cells. This innovative technique allows for the stacking of these modules to enhance nutrient yield.

Historically, plants have shown a degree of adaptability in producing foreign compounds through genetic modification. Previous efforts have demonstrated success in engineering plants, such as Nicotiana benthamiana, to produce various peptides that benefit human health. Nonetheless, challenges arise when attempting to synthesize more complex compounds, as genetic modifications can inadvertently disrupt the host plant’s metabolism, leading to reduced yields of the intended products.

To address this issue, the research team, led by Pengxiang Fan, implemented a strategy involving synthetic modules that encode not only the desired product but also the building blocks necessary for its production. This modular approach was tested on Nicotiana benthamiana to evaluate the effectiveness of the nutrient production.

The results were promising for creatine synthesis, yielding 2.3 micrograms of the compound per gram of plant material when the creatine-specific module was applied. The study also found that by combining a module for carnosine synthesis with an additional module for β-alanine—a precursor naturally found in small quantities in the plant—production increased by 3.8-fold.

Conversely, the attempts to produce taurine through a dual-module strategy were unsuccessful, as significant metabolic disruptions occurred, leading to minimal taurine output. This highlights the complexity of metabolic engineering in plants and suggests that further refinements are necessary for successful taurine production.

The findings from this study indicate a viable framework for synthesizing complex nutrients in plants, paving the way for future research aimed at using edible plants, including fruits and vegetables, as sustainable sources of these important dietary supplements. The ongoing development of this technology could have significant implications for enhancing nutritional content in plant-based diets and meeting the needs of consumers seeking alternatives to traditional animal-derived supplements.