Biological engineering application

Use of cell cultures as biocatalysts in obtaining the compound 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) from celery seeds for the natural treatment of hypertension

In Ecuador, hypertension is a disease that causes other illnesses, and it is also very common in adults and the elderly. There are very few effective natural treatments for this disease. The NBP compound has antihypertensive properties, and is found in celery. That is why a method of obtaining the NBP compound different from the conventional one can be very helpful for future natural applications.

Governance/police goals

  1. To give licenses to laboratories for obtaining and researching the compound NBP

1.1) Inspect that laboratories have the infrastructure and equipment

1.2) Provide monitoring of research progress by laboratories

  1. To control the cultivation of celery plantations for research use

2.1) To issue a permit to owners who decide to cultivate at least 1 hectare of crops

2.2) To promote celery cultivation through in vitro cultivation

Potential governance actions

Option 1: Financial support from the Secretariat of Higher Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (Senescyt) to private laboratories and higher education institutions that carry out studies that contribute to research

Option 2: Issuance of policies by the National Directorate of Health Research for the use of the NBP compound as an alternative treatment for hypertension

Option 3: Establishment of agreements between universities for the exchange of knowledge on the progress of research studies

Option 1 Option 2 Option 3
Enhance Biosecurity
By preventing incidents 2 n/a
By helping respond 2 n/a
Foster Lab Safety
By preventing incident 1 n/a
By helping respond 1 n/a
Protect the environment
By preventing incident 2 n/a
By helping respond 2 n/a
Other considerations
Mininmizing costs and burdens to stakeholders 1 1
Feasibility 1 1
Not impede research 1 1
Promote constructive applications 2 2

According to the table, option 1 and option 3 should be prioritized. This is because the basis of all research is the appropriate investment of economic resources. In Ecuador, Senescyt and the Ministry of Health are responsible. On the other hand, having the appropriate knowledge allows for better research progress. This would be achieved through work between higher education institutions.