Production of Medicinal Compounds in Aeroponics

Aeroponics is an environmentally friendly and economically efficient plant growing system. It is not subjected to weather conditions (when conducted indoors) nor to soil interference. It decreases water usage by 98%, fertilizer usage by 60%, pesticide and herbicides usage by 100%. Moreover, a much higher density plantation is feasible; hence making aeroponics ideal in urban areas where space is limited [1]. Presently, aeroponics is implicated for growing vegetable crops. However, despite its advantages, the evaluation, assessment, and utilization of aeroponics cultivation for commercial plants are not studied [1], in particular for medicinal plants Accordingly, this project will focus on investigating medicinal plants in the context of indoor aeroponics. In particular, we will study and identify the plant species that are most suitable to aeroponics cultivation. Moreover, we will introduce and evaluate new and innovative cultivation conditions (i.e., methods) to increase these plant's growth and production of biologically active compounds all year-round. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop a full aeroponics system that can be used all year-round in order to boost the production of medicinal compounds, over the lifetime of plants. Furthermore, this will advance current attempts to turn plants into factories that produce continuously therapeutic compounds for use in medicines to address global pharmaceutical needs. [1] Lakhiar I.A. et al, Modern plant cultivation technologies in agriculture under controlled environment: a review of aeroponics; Journal of Plant Interactions, 13:1, 2018