Understanding the impact of climate change on plant secondary metabolism
Climate change is one of the most significant challenges humanity currently faces. It is foreseeable that the impact will be substantial on a global scale, and it is expected that the Mediterranean region will be one of the most affected areas. Inês Mansinhos, who is reading for a PhD in Biotechnological Sciences, is carrying out her research project at the Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development – MED, more specifically in the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, under a grant from the Foundation for Science and Technology. Her research aims to understand the impact of climate change on plant secondary metabolism, and more specifically on aromatic and medicinal plants in the Mediterranean region.
As the researcher explains, “The chemical interaction between plants and their environment is mediated by the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, which perform their biological role as a plastic and adaptive response to their environment.”
The modulation of the secondary metabolism may be a central mechanism adopted by plants to mitigate environmental stress. Metabolic profiles are therefore seen as an important tool with which to understand the responses of plants to such changes.
Many species of Mediterranean medicinal and aromatic plants are recognised as having several human health benefits due to their richness in secondary metabolites. These are non-nutritional constituents of the plant that affect crop quality due to their influence on taste, appearance, stability and health-promoting attributes, including mitigating micronutrient deficiencies and the risk of chronic diet-related diseases. Inês Mansinhos believes that, “These metabolites have a wide range of biological functions, including those that are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, anti-allergic, antiviral and antibacterial, among others.” Furthermore, she says that, “There has been growing evidence that oxidative stress and certain human pathologies such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer could be prevented if our diet included plant foods containing large amounts of antioxidant compounds, such as vitamin C, or phenolic compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, coumarins and phenolic acids.” Dietary antioxidants can act as free radical scavengers, radical chain reaction inhibitors, metal chelators, oxidative enzyme inhibitors and antioxidant enzyme cofactors.”
She goes on to stress that, “It is important we understand the impact of climate change on the diversity and phytochemical abundance of Mediterranean plants that have a potential role to play in human health, as well as how we can modulate the production of these bioactive compounds.”
This project is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 15, “Life on Land”, as all plants used in the studies are produced using plant biotechnology techniques, which safeguard the preservation of natural habitats. In addition, the project is aligned with the “Climate Action” goal, as it will contribute to increasing knowledge about the impact of climate change on plants.
Inês Mansinhos has a Bachelor’s Degree in Biotechnology, a Master’s in Biochemistry, is Reading for PhD in Biotechnological Sciences and is a researcher at the Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development (MED).
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