Carrot compound may ward off cancer, heart disease
Scientists have developed a new technology that uses grated carrot to obtain natural compounds which they claim have the potential to prevent cancer, flu, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers from the FEMSA Center of Biotechnology at Technologic of Monterrey (ITESM) designed the technique, which also allows them to obtain shikimic acid - a substance which is a raw material used to produce antiviral drugs for influenza.
Currently the production of bioactive compounds in plants is accomplished by genetic engineering; however, this new process employs an alternate technique in which the tissue is stressed by cutting and applying herbicides.
Velazques explained that they activate the carrot's metabolism using cut stress (grating), and then the carbon flow of its metabolism is modulated by applying an herbicide called glyphosate that inhibits enzymes.
This technique makes it possible to accumulate great amounts of shikimic acid and phenolic compounds in the plant tissue.
Velazques pointed that currently, shikimic acid is extracted from the Star anise, which is only produced in China; in contrast, the carrot is cultivated in many regions across the planet.
Besides the extraction of the shikimic acid, phenolic compounds are obtained, which help to prevent diseases in humans, mostly because its antioxidant potential that aids in the neutralisation of free radicals in the blood stream, preventing chronic degenerative diseases.
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