Metabolic Engineering for Overproduction of Plant Secondary Metabolites: Alkaloids

Plants possess bioactive metabolites that have the potential to positively impact physiological and cellular activities that contribute to overall healthHealth. The demand for these bioactive compounds has led researchers to employ advanced metabolic engineering techniques to boost the production of these compounds in various plant speciesSpecies. This book chapter offers a comprehensive review of metabolic engineering for the overproductionOverproduction of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs), mainly focusing on alkaloidsAlkaloid. Metabolic engineering involves manipulating the biosynthetic pathways and mechanisms accountable for accumulating valuable target plant metabolites. By understanding the metabolic pathwaysMetabolic pathway and regulatory elements involved in alkaloidAlkaloid production, researchers have successfully engineered plants to produce higher levels of alkaloidsAlkaloid. The chapter discusses various methodsMethod used for alkaloidAlkaloid production in medicinal plantsMedicinal plants. TransgenicTransgenic methodsMethod involve introducing genes encoding key enzymesEnzyme or regulatory factorsFactors into plant genomes, while non-transgenicTransgenic approaches utilize strategies such as elicitor treatments, precursor feeding, nutrientNutrients supplementation, and optimization of growthGrowth conditions to stimulate plant alkaloidAlkaloid production. The strengths and constraints of each approach are discussed, along with recent advancements in the fieldField. Furthermore, the chapter highlights emerging biotechnological tools that can enhance alkaloidAlkaloid production. These tools include genome editingGenome editing techniquesClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat /CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR-Cas9) (CRISPR-Cas9), gene silencingGene silencing technologiesTechnology (RNARibonucleic acid (RNA) interference), and abiotic stressAbiotic stress induction to trigger alkaloidAlkaloid biosynthesisBiosynthesis. Consequently, this chapter presents an updated perspective on metabolic engineering strategies for increasing plant alkaloidAlkaloid production. By harnessing the power of metabolic engineering, researchers and industry professionals can have a pivotal impact in promoting the sustainable production of alkaloidsAlkaloid and other valuable PSMs.