Optimization and Improvement Antioxidant Production by Plants

Nativ Dudai, Ph.D.

Aromatic, Medicinal and Spice Crops Unit

ARO – Newe Ya`ar Research Center

Ramat Yishay, Israel

The antioxidant properties of plants are of increasing economical importance. While main focus in breeding and cultivation of crops have been to improve yield components, shelf-life and tolerance to diseases, new developments suggest redirection of effort. Antioxidants in plants such as phenols are usually secondary metabolites, and the most effective way to improve them is breeding and selection, as shown for rosemary and oregano. However, seasonal variation and the developmental stage of the plant also have great impact on both the quantity and the composition of secondary metabolites. Understanding of plants responses to various environmental factors is a prerequisite for predicting and improving the quality and quantity of the antioxidants produced by a plant through breeding and cultivation.

Dr. Nativ Dudai graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is a senior scientist at the Agricultural Research Organization (ARO) in Israel. His area of research focuses on physiology, introduction, acclimation and breeding of aromatic and medicinal plants, and development of fresh herb production. His group is also involved in projects dealing with essential oils and secondary metabolites, bioactivity and potential use of aromatic plants as source of special natural products.  Dr. Dudai introduced vanilla to Israel 5 years ago, and the vanilla plants are thriving in the green houses of Newe Ya'ar, where the vines are flowering and bearing beans. Dr Dudai has a long list of registered varieties that he selected for increased yield and resistant to disease, such as basil that is resistant to Fusarium wilt.