(183af) Genome Metabolic Network Reconstruction of Erythroxylum Novogranatense to Increase Non-Cocaine Value Added Molecules

Erythroxylum novogranatense is a plant of great interest due to its ability to synthesize a diverse array of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and terpenes, which hold both pharmacological and ecological significance. These metabolites play crucial roles in plant defense, environmental adaptation, and interactions with other organisms.

While tropane alkaloids from E. novogranatense have been extensively studied for their pharmacological applications, other biologically active compounds, such as flavonoids and terpenes, remain largely uncharacterized despite their antioxidant properties and roles in plant communication and defense. The biosynthetic pathways and regulatory mechanisms driving their production are still not well understood.

To address this knowledge gap, we performed a genome-scale metabolic reconstruction of E. novogranatense, integrating genomic data with computational modeling to uncover the molecular foundations of its secondary metabolism. Furthermore, non-targeted metabolite analyses of E. novogranatense leaves and rhizosphere validated several predicted secondary metabolites, shedding light on the plant’s complex biochemical network. This study provides a crucial step toward understanding and harnessing the metabolic potential of E. novogranatense for future biotechnological applications