Phylochem announces the start of lab scale production of voacangine from alternative sources. After years of research and screening various Tabernaemontana and Voacanga species, Phylochem has successfully developed superior cultivars that produce commercial quantities of voacangine as a leaf alkaloid. This breakthrough means that the unsustainable practice of harvesting root bark, which typically involves uprooting and killing entire trees, is no longer necessary.
Harvesting Voacanga africana for voacangine typically involves uprooting the entire tree to extract the root bark, which kills the plant. This destructive practice leads to a decline in tree populations, contributing to habitat destruction and a loss of biodiversity. Additionally, the removal of entire trees can cause soil degradation and erosion, further harming the ecosystem.
By shifting to leaf-based extraction, Phylochem not only addresses these issues but opens a pathways for plentiful supply and lowering of costs.
Phylochem has established its own supply chain by using tissue culture to clone superior mother plants and by cultivating its own trees. This ensures a consistent and sustainable source of voacangine from natural, renewable resources.
Phylochem expects to begin pilot-scale production of voacangine in 2025. Phylochem will offer two forms of the extract: a crude alkaloid extract with approximately 70% voacangine by weight, suitable for further processing, and a highly purified isolate with at least 98% purity. Pilot scale production will allow from batch sizes from 1kg to 25kgs.
Phylochem expects to begin pilot scale production of vocangine in 2025. Phylochem will produce at least two forms or extract, a crude alakloid extract at approximately 70% voacangine suitable for further processing, and an isolate of at least 98% purity.
Unlocking the Healing Power of Medicinal Plants
It’s estimated that up to 90% of plant-based medicines have yet to be discovered. This vast, untapped potential of the natural world presents an exciting frontier for new remedies. At Phylochem, we are dedicated to exploring this potential through advanced herbal extraction, purification, and isolation techniques.
Our work begins with the careful selection and cataloging of plant species, particularly those that have never been commercially grown or studied before. These underexplored plants may hold the key to new, effective treatments for various health conditions. At Phylochem, we believe that every plant has unique potential, and it’s our mission to uncover and utilize these natural resources.
We use state-of-the-art extraction techniques, including solid extraction and enzyme-assisted extraction, to isolate and purify the active compounds within these plants. This careful process allows us to capture the full range of beneficial molecules, preserving their integrity for further study. Once extracted, these compounds undergo rigorous purification and isolation. By isolating these compounds, their therapeutic effects can be studied in detail, helping to pave the way for new medicines. Our approach ensures that these discoveries are both safe and effective.
Phylochem is also committed to sustainability. We focus on growing rare and previously uncommercialized species, contributing to biodiversity conservation and ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials for research. Our dedication to sustainable practices protects the environment while unlocking new possibilities in plant-based medicine.
The discovery of new plant-based medicines is a promising, largely unexplored area. Phylochem is leading this exploration, aiming to unlock the healing power of plants for future healthcare solutions.