ID: 613 / 35

Category: Symposia

Track: Pending

Proposed Symposium Title: THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF COLOMBIAN AMARYLLIDACEAE BIODIVERSITY TO BIOECONOMY: BEYOND THE USE OF FOREST PRODUCTS

Abstract: Eucharis bonplandii (Kunth) Traub and Eucharis caucana Meerow are plants of the family Amaryllidaceae and they are endemic to Colombia. These species are uncommon in the Colombian biogeography and they are in serious risk of extinction. On the other hand, their vulnerability has increased as a consequence of climate change, deforestation and Colombian social problems, which is reflected in few specimens that aren´t important for the economic development of the region. Through different chemotaxonomic studies evaluated in these plants, it has been determined that both species have a high pharmacological potential, since they produce galanthamine, an alkaloid approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration of medical interest for the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Worldwide, this alkaloid is obtained from crops of other Amaryllidaceae species in Europe and Asia, and by chemical synthesis. However, due to the conditions described above, obtaining galanthamine from Eucharis has not been of interest to the Colombian industry, although the bioeconomic potential of these species has a high demand. For all these reasons, we are researching to rescue these species from anonymity by studying their active galanthamine biosynthetic pathway. With this information, a biofactory based on biotechnological processes is being developed to obtain galanthamine under laboratory conditions, without negatively affecting the vulnerable populations of both species in Colombia. Additionally, since this work is expected to produce a pharmaceutical product at the national level, an economic return will be made to the areas where they are found in order to conserve them in their natural habitat and ensure an increase in the number of specimens in the territory. This interdisciplinary research involving academia, government institutions and the Colombian pharmaceutical sector aims to offer alternatives that benefit endangered species with high bioeconomic potential, where a return to their habitats is made without over-extraction of their biomass.

Speaker 1: * Natalie Charlotte Cortés Rendón * Universidad de Ibagué Carrera 22 - Calle 67 Barrio Ambalá. Ibagué, Colombia * natalie.cortes@unibague.edu.co * The potential contribution of Colombian Amaryllidaceae biodiversity to bioeconomy: Beyond the use of forest products

Speaker 2: * Alvaro Barrera-Ocampo * Universidad Icesi Cll 18 # 122-135. Cali, Colombia * aabarrera@icesi.edu.co * The potential contribution of Colombian Amaryllidaceae biodiversity to bioeconomy: Beyond the use of forest products

Speaker 3: * Andres Gonzalez Barrios * Universidad de los Andes Cra 1 Nº 18A – 12. Bogotá - Colombia * andgonza@uniandes.edu.co * The potential contribution of Colombian Amaryllidaceae biodiversity to bioeconomy: Beyond the use of forest products

Topics (Up to three): Conservation Biology

Topic 2: Conservation Biology

Topic 3: Plant Biotechnology

Justification: Eucharis bonplandii and Eucharis caucana are in risk of extinction as a consequence of climate change, deforestation and social problems in Colombia. Both species have a high pharmacological potential, since they produce galanthamine, a drug approved for the palliative treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We are researching on saving these species from anonymity by studying their biosynthetic routes and developing a biofactory based on biotechnological processes to obtain galanthamine under laboratory conditions. Finally, an economic return to their natural habitat will be made in order to conserve them and ensure an increase in the number of specimens in Colombian territory.