Innovative Vertical Farming Techniques Boost Medicinal Compound Production

Emerging research into controlled environment agriculture (CEA) aims to enhance the production of medicinal plants that produce natural anti-cancer compounds, potentially revolutionizing treatment methods. Led by doctoral student Rebekah Maynard, the study focuses on identifying crops suitable for medical applications, specifically aiming to boost the concentration of apigenin—a compound with promising anti-cancer properties.

Harnessing Vertical Farming for Medicinal Plant Growth

Under the guidance of Rhuanito Ferrarezi, associate professor of CEA crop physiology, Maynard cultivated chamomile and parsley in a vertical farming setup. The study centered on optimizing apigenin production, a known anti-inflammatory compound with potential cancer-fighting abilities.

"Parsley stands out as the top producer of apigenin, despite citrus being naturally high-yielding," Maynard explained. "Chamomile, albeit lower in apigenin, offers a compact growth ideal for vertical farming environments, warranting exploration."

Published in HortScience, the study scrutinized two chamomile cultivars—'Bodegold' and 'Zloty Lan'—and three parsley cultivars—'Darki,' 'Giant of Italy,' and 'Wega'—to assess apigenin output within indoor vertical farming contexts.

Analyzing Anti-Cancer Yields from Chamomile and Parsley

After a 15-week growth period, parsley leaves and unopened chamomile flowers were harvested for analysis. The 'Giant of Italy' parsley produced the largest plants, though 'Bodegold' chamomile outperformed in total apigenin accumulation, yielding more usable biomass.

While apigenin can be chemically synthesized through a complex multi-step process, Maynard highlights vertical farming's feasibility for year-round cultivation, endorsing it as a promising alternative.

As vertical farming investments increase, identifying profitable crops is pivotal for the industry's future. "Everyone seeks alternative crops to justify infrastructure expenses, but also finding compounds within these crops enhances profitability," Ferrarezi noted.

Maynard's initial study targeted biopharmaceuticals, emphasizing fast-growing crops for scalability—a crucial factor for CEA's economic viability.

Impact of UV Light on Medicinal Compound Production

Unexpectedly, initial findings revealed lower apigenin levels than anticipated, attributed to the absence of UV light—a known trigger for secondary metabolite production. In subsequent experiments incorporating UV lighting, significant increases in apigenin were observed in parsley cultivars.

"This exciting outcome signals the potential for further optimization to provide growers with concrete recommendations," Ferrarezi stated. His lab is exploring similar techniques for extracting anti-cancer alkaloids from Madagascar periwinkle.

The Future of Vertical Farming in Biopharmaceuticals

Maynard's dissertation delves into secondary metabolite accumulation, with a focus on apigenin production in herbs within controlled environments. This research marks the initiation of biopharmaceutical studies from Ferrarezi's lab.

"We've gained insights into physiological processes triggering these compounds. Our aim is to develop production methods enhancing their output, emphasizing plant science," Ferrarezi concluded.

Maynard plans to publish additional findings ahead of her thesis defense in March, underscoring the potential of vertical farming in advancing medicinal compound production.