New High-Scopolamine Duboisia Varieties Developed at the University of Queensland

IN NEWS: New High-Scopolamine Duboisia Varieties Developed at the University of Queensland

ANALYSIS

1. Context and Purpose of the Research
   • The University of Queensland (UQ) has developed new varieties of the native Australian plant Duboisia, a species valuable to the global pharmaceutical industry.
   • The focus is on increasing scopolamine, an alkaloid used in medications for:
     • Motion sickness
     • Stomach disorders
     • Side effects of cancer therapy
     • Post-operative nausea and vomiting
   • Scopolamine is widely used, and most surgical patients worldwide may have consumed Duboisia-derived medication.
2. Scientific and Breeding Efforts
   • Led by Dr Patrick Mason, UQ researchers:
     • Surveyed Queensland’s national parks and private lands to collect Duboisia samples.
     • Generated 700 breeding lines through a systematic breeding program.
     • A selected subset is undergoing further evaluation for:
       • Maximum leaf yield
       • Consistent scopolamine production
   • Results on commercial viability of the new lines are expected within two years.
3. Tissue Culture and Plant Propagation
   • The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), led by Honorary Professor Neena Mitter, developed a tissue culture platform for Duboisia.
   • Thousands of plant clones were produced to ensure:
     • Adequate supply for testing
     • Reliable propagation of high-scopolamine varieties
4. Industry Collaboration
   • The project is supported by India Glycols Limited (IGL), a leader in plant-derived pharmaceutical and nutraceutical ingredients.
   • IGL’s Ennature Biopharma division partnered with UQ to develop higher-scopolamine Duboisia lines.
   • The collaboration highlights:
     • Industry reliance on stable, high-yield medicinal plant sources
     • The commercial volatility associated with natural pharmaceutical compounds
     • A long-term commitment to sustainable, nature-based innovations
5. Significance
   • Enhances global medicinal plant supply chains dependent on Australian Duboisia.
   • Supports pharmaceutical resilience by addressing high demand for scopolamine.
   • Demonstrates the role of biotechnology, tissue culture, and targeted breeding in strengthening plant-based pharmaceutical systems.

NECESSARY STATIC PART 

• Plant: Duboisia (native Australian medicinal shrub)
• Key Compound: Scopolamine (alkaloid)
• Uses of Scopolamine: Motion sickness, stomach disorders, cancer therapy side effects, post-operative nausea
• Lead Institution: The University of Queensland (UQ)
• Lead Researcher: Dr Patrick Mason
• Supporting Team: Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), led by Honorary Professor Neena Mitter
• Industry Partner: India Glycols Limited (IGL), Ennature Biopharma
• Breeding Output: 700 Duboisia lines; thousands of clones via tissue culture
• Objective: Develop high-scopolamine varieties to meet pharmaceutical demand

Updated – 20 January 2025 ; 10:25 PM  | News Source: University of Queensland