A novel herbal molecule with strong UV-B absorbing properties for enhanced radiation tolerance in plants

UV-B radiation is a major damaging agent causing damage to plants, tissues and skin upon exposure. To persist strong UV-B radiation plants produce additional antioxidant sunscreen pigments that belong to the chemical compound family of phenylpropanoids. Since the majority of world population depends on herbal diet, there is an urgent need to generate plants with higher UV-B tolerance to improve crop and seed yields especially in areas of inevitable strong sun exposure.

We offer an easy and efficient technology to enhance UV-B tolerance in plants. Researchers from the Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology have characterized and isolated a novel class of phenylacylated flavonols, called saiginols, that considerably contribute to UV-B protection in plants due to increased UV-B absorption properties (1). Gene manipulation causing saiginol overproduction protects plants significantly from damage of strong UV-B radiation. Moreover, saiginol excess increase vigour, seed yield and germination rate of these plants. Such novel, non-toxic compounds and the correlated protein capable of conferring UV-B tolerance offer the possibility to the generation of UV-B tolerant plants for increasing yield. We are currently looking for collaboration partners who are interested in licensing of this technology.

• Easy generation of UV-B tolerant plants for enhanced seed yield and germination rate
• Simple production of a novel herbal compound with high UV-B absorbing properties
• Use of formulations and compositions comprising such compounds for the protection of biological or non-biological material

European priority application has been filed in June 2015.

(1) Tohge, T. et al., Nat. Commun. 7:12399 doi: 10.1038/ncomms12399 (2016)