Metabolic Engineering of Ocimum Sanctum for Enhanced Production of Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

Ocimum sanctum (Holy Basil) is a medicinal plant widely recognized for its bioactive compounds, including eugenol, ursolic acid, and rosmarinic acid, which exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. However, conventional cultivation and extraction methods pose challenges in achieving high yields of these metabolites. Metabolic engineering offers a promising approach to enhance the biosynthesis of key secondary metabolites by modifying genetic, enzymatic, and regulatory pathways. This review explores various strategies employed in metabolic engineering to optimize bioactive compound production in O. sanctum. Key approaches include genetic engineering through overexpression of biosynthetic genes, CRISPR-Cas9-mediated genome editing, and synthetic biology techniques for pathway reconstruction. Additionally, omics technologies such as genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics play a crucial role in identifying and modulating biosynthetic pathways. Biotechnological advancements, including
plant tissue culture, microbial endophytes, and nanotechnology-based interventions, further enhance metabolite production. Despite these advancements, challenges such as pathway complexity, regulatory concerns, and biotechnological limitations persist. Future research integrating AI-driven metabolic modeling and precision gene editing holds promise for further optimization. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the current progress and future prospects of metabolic engineering in O. sanctum, paving the way for sustainable production of its bioactive compounds.