MUTAGENESIS FOR ENHANCED SECONDARY METABOLITES PRODUCTION IN MEDICINAL PLANTS (Book Chapter)

Abstract

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as valuable sources of secondary metabolites with diverse pharmacological and therapeutic properties. The controlled manipulation of plant genomes through mutagenesis offers a promising avenue to enhance the production of these bioactive compounds. This abstract discusses the principles and applications of mutagenesis techniques, including chemical and radiation-based methods, as tools to induce genetic variations in medicinal plants. It also explores the subsequent identification and selection of high-yielding mutants, along with their stable propagation and evaluation under controlled and field conditions. Induced mutations have been successfully employed to develop enhanced versions of several therapeutic plants. This approach has the potential to substantially increase the yield of secondary metabolites, thereby addressing the growing need for these compounds. Additionally, it contributes to the sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants, reducing pressure on wild populations. However, it is vital to consider ethical, environmental, and regulatory aspects when employing these techniques to achieve the desired enhancement of secondary metabolites. The application of mutagenesis in enhancing secondary metabolite production offers a pathway to harness the full potential of medicinal plants for their therapeutic and economic value.