The production of pyrethrins by plant cell and tissue cultures of Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium and Tagetes species

Pyrethrins, the most economically important natural insecticide, comprise a group of six closely related monoterpene esters. The industrial production is based on their extraction from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Pyrethru m) capitula. The world production of natural pyrethrins still falls short o f global market demand stimulating the research in in vitro production as a n alternative to conventional cultivation methods. The different biotechnol ogical alternatives such as callus cultures, shoot and root cultures, plant cell suspension cultures, and bioconversion of precursors by means of enzy matic synthesis or genetically engineered microorganisms, as well as the pr ogress achieved in methods for the identification and quantitation of insec ticidal compounds have been reviewed. Although technology for plant cell cu lture exists, industrial applications have, to date, been limited due to bo th the low economical viability and technological feasibility at large scal e. Bioconversion of readily available precursors looks more attractive, but more research is needed before this technology is used for the industrial production of pyrethrins.