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 productio n is based on their extraction from Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium (Pyrethr um) capitula. The world production of natural pyrethrins still falls short of global market demand stimulating the research in in vitro production as an alternative to conventional cultivation methods. The different biotechno logical alternatives such as callus cultures, shoot and root cultures, plan t cell suspension cultures, and bioconversion of precursors by means of enz ymatic synthesis or genetically engineered microorganisms, as well as the p rogress achieved in methods for the identification and quantitation of inse cticidal compounds have been reviewed. Although technology for plant cell c ulture exists, industrial applications have, to date, been limited due to b oth the low economical viability and technological feasibility at large sca le. Bioconversion of readily available precursors looks more attractive, bu t more research is needed before this technology is used for the industrial production of pyrethrins.