A Revolutionary Approach to Biodiversity Conservation, Medicinal Discovery, and Sustainable Botanical Production
“We currently know only 0.1% of bioactive compounds in plants, which means a staggering 99.9% remains undiscovered. Expanding our knowledge is challenging, given that a plant genome can be up to eight times the size of the human genome.” (1) This insight sparks a profound sense of awe: with nearly 50% of today’s pharmaceuticals inspired by plant-derived molecules, the potential of untapped therapies hidden within plants is vast and largely unknown.
Understanding how these undiscovered molecules could impact the human body is crucial but demands significant time and financial investment. Moreover, the intrinsic variability of natural compounds poses hurdles for standardization and reproducibility, a known barrier to the widespread adoption of phytotherapy over synthetic drugs. Biodiversity itself, while an invaluable resource, can also limit the industrial production of active ingredients from rare or slow-growing plants.
Fortunately, advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are beginning to transcend these limitations. AI applications worldwide are producing compelling results, including innovations like the CAPTAIN Project (Conservation Area Prioritisation through Artificial Intelligence) (2), which exemplifies AI’s potential in biodiversity conservation. Using machine learning algorithms and environmental and chemical data, CAPTAIN identifies promising plant species for botanical production and optimizes their cultivation based on regional characteristics. This method ensures more consistent quality while preserving local and lesser-known plant varieties, enhancing biodiversity. Studies with CAPTAIN demonstrate a 9% to 18% improvement in species conservation compared to traditional methods, providing critical guidance on conservation priorities. This AI-driven approach also supports sustainability in sourcing botanical raw materials, lowering the environmental impact of extraction activities.
Predictive models can help discover new, effective medicinal plants native to local environments, reducing dependence on foreign species and fostering ecosystem preservation. These models can also promote a circular economy—a goal frequently advocated in this field—by optimizing every phase from plant cultivation to active compound extraction, minimizing waste, and utilizing agricultural by-products that might otherwise go to waste. Additionally, machine learning combined with chemical analysis techniques enables precise detection of contaminants and adulterants, enhancing safety standards.
Another standout example is Brightseed’s Forager® platform, an AI-powered tool mapping the plant metabolome to identify health-promoting compounds. With over seven million natural compounds analyzed, Forager accelerates the discovery and scientific validation of bioactives. Brightseed, in collaboration with Botalys, leverages AI and biomimetic cultivation technology to simulate ideal ecological conditions, enhancing the quality and concentration of active plant compounds. This approach standardizes the chemical profile of each botanical product, ensuring high bioactivity.
The ICN Project (Metabolome and Valorization of Plant Biodiversity) at Université Côte d’Azur adds to these efforts by characterizing the metabolomic profile of local plant species. Through this project, researchers are unlocking new bioactive compounds with applications in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, accelerating discovery, and encouraging sustainable use of local plant resources. In line with circular economy principles, ICN maximizes the use of native species, reducing reliance on exotic plants and preserving local genetic resources.
Artificial Intelligence offers a transformative tool to bridge the gap in our understanding of the 99.9% of plant bioactives that remain unknown. While this journey will neither be simple nor immediate, we now have the technological means to tap into the immense potential that the plant kingdom holds. For Italy—a nation rich in biodiversity—there is a compelling case for increased investment in research and development to explore this promising field. Let’s hope this inspires further innovation and collaboration, leveraging AI to reveal the botanical treasures that await us.
1. Brightseed. www.brightseedbio.com
2. https://www.captain-project.net/
Elena Sgaravatti, Scientific Director of Innovation in Botanicals
SOURCE:A text translated from the journal Innovation in Botanicals, published by CEC Editore Editoriale Innovazione in Botanicals 3 • 2024 – CEC EDITORE