Green Synthesis of Taxol via Plant Cell Fermentation and Extraction

Plant cell fermentation (PCF®) synthetic method to produce paclitaxel, the active substance in Taxol. Paclitaxel is conventionally produces from a precursor extracted from the European yew tree. Isolating paclitaxel kills the tree during extraction because it requires stripping the bark. Yew bark also does not contain much of the precursor. BMS has developed a new method to manufacture the precursor through PCF®. The system uses renewable nutrients (sugars and amino acids) and operates under controlled conditions at ambient temperatures and pressures. The implementation of this technology would reduce biomass waste and prevent deforestation.

EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge: 2004 Greener Synthetic Pathways Award