Natural product discovery platform for novel insecticidal compounds from a South African plant repository

Overview

This offering provides access to a validated natural product discovery platform built around a large and diverse plant repository, comprising over 11,000 unique dry ground plant samples. The platform enables the rapid identification of novel insecticidal compounds that are selectively potent against major agricultural pests, including pesticide-resistant lepidoptera, hoppers, thrips, and mites. By combining biodiversity-driven sample selection with high-throughput bioassay screening and bioactivity-based molecular networking, the approach accelerates the path from raw plant material to characterized lead compounds. The result is a discovery engine for environmentally friendly crop protection agents addressing critical resistance challenges in modern agriculture.

Technical specifications

• Extensive plant repository: Over 11,000 South African plant samples available for selection and screening
• High-throughput purification: Semi-pure fractions prepared in 96-well plate format using NCI-derived protocols for rapid screening
• Validated screening workflow: Proven track record of hit identification from semi-pure fractions, demonstrated through anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-HIV discovery programs
• Bioactivity-based molecular networking: Advanced dereplication strategy to prioritize active fractions and accelerate lead identification
• Compound isolation and characterization: Capabilities for isolating and identifying active compounds from promising fractions
• Mode-of-action studies: Planned elucidation of how active compounds interact with target pests
• Eco-toxicology evaluation: Assessment of environmental safety profiles for identified compounds
• Collaborative pest screening: Proposed bioassay evaluation against target pests

Technology readiness level

The underlying high-throughput screening and fractionation methodology is validated, having successfully supported the discovery of bioactive compounds in antiviral programs. The repository of 11,000 plant samples is established and accessible. Future validation will proceed through a structured eight-step pipeline: selection of candidate species, extraction and fractionation, primary screening against target pests, bioactivity-guided molecular networking, compound isolation, secondary screening of pure compounds, eco-toxicology profiling, and mode-of-action determination. Pest-specific bioassays are proposed to be conducted as part of the advancement plan toward lead optimization and potential commercial development in crop protection.