What Are the Steps Involved in Bioprospecting with a Toxicological Perspective?
The bioprospecting process with toxicological consideration typically involves several steps:
Collection and Identification: Researchers collect specimens from natural sources and identify promising candidates based on traditional knowledge or scientific literature. Compound Isolation: The active compounds are isolated from the specimens using various extraction methods. Bioactivity Screening: The compounds are tested for biological activity, including potential therapeutic effects and toxicity. Toxicological Evaluation: Compounds that show promise undergo toxicological studies to assess their safety in living organisms. Regulatory Approval: If a compound passes safety assessments, it can proceed to regulatory approval and commercialization.