Biotechnological production of caffeoylquinic acids from plant cell and organ cultures for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications

Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are phenolic compounds found in a wide variety of plants. These are a broad class of secondary metabolites that are primarily synthesized by esterifying quinic acids and hydroxycinnamic acids (ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and caffeic acid). The most common and significant of these in the human diet is chlorogenic acid, also known as 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA). In addition, plants have been found to contain mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-esters. CQAs exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, neuroprotective, antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antidiabetic effects. In addition to their dietary significance, CQAs are used extensively in pharmacology, animal husbandry, food preservation, and the manufacturing of skin care products. CQA accumulation varies greatly across several species, plant parts, and organs. As a result, in vitro cell and organ culture techniques have been used by researchers to produce CQAs. In a variety of plant species, callus, cells, adventitious/hairy roots, and plantlet cultures have been established. In these culture types, several techniques, including cell line selection, appropriate media, salt strength, plant growth regulators, chemical and physical variables, and elicitation, have been successfully assessed.