PRODUCING 1ALPHA, 25 -DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D3 IN PLANT CELLS AND PLANTS AND METHODS FOR UP-REGULATING CORRESPONDING METABOLIC PATHWAYS

摘要

Disclosed there is a method for increasing the yield of the metabolic production of lα,25- dihydroxyvitamin D₃ in a Vitamin D₃ metabolite producing plant which is selected from Solanum glaucophyllum, Cestum diurnum, Trisetum flavescens and Nierembergia veitchii. The invention refers, among others, to the use of metabolic precursors and inhibitors for blocking branching points to other metabolic routes and thus yielding higher amounts to the desired secondary metabolite lα,25 -dihydroxyvitamin D₃. The invention also relates to the use of plant stress inducers in order to increase the plant's response for producing secondary metabolites as a defense mechanism. The invention further refers to the Vitamin D₃ metabolite producing plant material as obtained according to the above method and to the use of same as starting material for preparing food or feed additives; or food or feed supplements; or as starting material for preparing corresponding lα,25 -dihydroxyvitamin D₃ enriched plant extracts.