Objective Gypsophila is widely cultivated in Europe for its flowers, whereas its roots are milled in the soil, with a high environmental cost. Gypsophila roots contain aspirin complex of high chemical, pharmaceutical and medical interest. Today the raw material for spooning extraction is mainly imported from non-European countries. Moreover, the worldwide sale of plant-derived drugs is growing. For such reason proposal objectives are to optimise the production of Gypsophilasaponins and to expand their market by:1) developing growing and harvesting systems for selected Gypsophila species,2) establishing cell lines for in vitroproduction of spooning,3) bioengineering enzyme activities important in the biosynthesis of specific spooning to produce high value spooning,4) purifyingsaponins up to monosubstances. By thus providing new products, several Gypsophilawild species and cultivars will acquire high added value enhancing the competitiveness of European industry. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrybiomoleculesproteinsenzymes Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory" Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme EAW - Exploratory awards Coordinator AZIENDA AGRICOLA MERISTEMA SRL EU contribution No data Address Localitá Riaccio 56030 CALCINAIA Italy See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all DR. H.SCHMITTMANN GMBH Germany EU contribution No data Address Langenhorster Str.30 42551 VELBERT See on map Total cost No data