This book is a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted role of phytochemicals in contemporary drug discovery and biotechnology. Comprising eleven insightful chapters, it navigates through the historical roots, current applications, and future possibilities of harnessing plant-derived compounds for medicinal advancements. The initial chapters introduce phytochemicals and their historical significance in traditional medicine, highlighting the scientific validation offered by phytochemistry and pharmacology.

The subsequent chapters delve into the incorporation of biotechnology into phytochemical synthesis, focusing on metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and plant tissue culture to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact. The integration of nanomaterial synthesis with medicinal plant extracts is explored for its potential in biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery. A thorough examination of bioactive properties of secondary metabolites in unripe fruit extracts reveals their role in immune enhancement, alongside factors affecting bioactive compound content. Advanced analytical techniques crucial to drug discovery are discussed, including "green extraction" and modern methods like high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) for phytochemical purification and identification. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted challenges and strategies in drug discovery, with computational biology advancing molecular target identification and innovative screening methodologies. The exploration of mineral profiling in medicinal plants underscores its importance for human health, detailing methods to identify essential and harmful elements, and noting the nutritional value of these plants. The penultimate chapter addresses future opportunities and challenges in using medicinal plants for drug development, spotlighting India's contributions to global pharmaceutical needs. The final chapter examines phytochemicals as alternative therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, highlighting antiviral properties and the novel concept of molecular plant farming for vaccine development. This book is a comprehensive resource for those interested in phytochemistry, biotechnology, and pharmacology, elucidating the role of plant-derived chemicals in contemporary medicine and technology.

Autorentext

Prof. Barbara Sawicka

Barbara Sawicka was completed PhD and habilitation at the Agricultural University of Lublin (Poland). She is a full professor at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Faculty of Agrobioengineering. Here Scientia's research concerns the yield variability of cultivated plant varieties, the quality of plant raw materials, food safety, and commodity science of plant raw materials. Author of 1090 Scientia's publications, 28 books, and 2 patents. Promoter of over 450 engineering and master's theses and 11 doctoral theses. Editor or co-editor of four Scientia's journals. Member of three scientist societies.

Dr. Mohammed Messaoudi

Mohammed Messaoudi was completed PhD at the Echahid Hamma Lakhdar, El Oued, (Algeria). He is an expert in the field of food and agricultural sciences, Also application of INAA technique for determination of trace elements in food staff and other fields. The main area of him research interests is the assessment of the impact of climatic and soil factors on the quality of raw materials and plant products. He is the author of over 90 scientific publications in the field of medicinal plants, food staff and other fields for assessment of the food and pharmaceutical industries. He is a member editorial of some journal scientific.

Prof. Abdelkrim Rebiai

Abdelkrim Rebiai was born in El Oued, Algeria in 1980. He graduated from the Department of Chemistry, Ouargla University in 2004 and received M. Sci. in 2010. He joined the research group of Prof. Touhami Lanez at Laboratory of Valorization and Technology of Sahara Resources (VTRS), El Oued and received his Ph.D. degree in 2016 from Ouargla University. After he worked for El Oued University, he joined the Department of Chemistry as an Assistant Professor in 2010 and was promoted to an Associate Professor in 2016 and was promoted to a Professor in 2022.