A project by the Institute of Horticulture recognized among Latvia's most significant scientific achievements of 2024 by the Latvian Academy of Sciences
The competition organized by the Latvian Academy of Sciences, which evaluated forty-seven submissions across various scientific fields, has concluded.
In this competition, the Institute of Horticulture’s project “New Insights into Vitamin E Compounds – Tocotrienols in Dicotyledonous Plant Seeds” was highlighted in the category “Agricultural Biotechnology”.
The project, which involved leading researchers including Ph.D. Pawel Górnas, academician of the Latvian Academy of Sciences Dr.sc.ing. Dalija Segliņa, Mg.cib.hyg. Inga Mišina, Mg.chem. Georgijs Baškirovs, Mg.sc.ing. Danija Lazdiņa, and Bc.sc.ing. Elise Sipeniece, has contributed significant new insights into tocotrienol compounds found in dicotyledonous plant seeds.
As part of the project (LZP 2020/1-0422), research revealed the dominant presence of tocotrienols in over 10 plant families and 3,000 species of dicotyledonous plants — a group previously believed to contain tocotrienols only rarely. These findings are of high scientific value, as they expand the current understanding of vitamin E compounds and their potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
A green HPLC method for extracting vitamin E compounds was developed and patented during the project. Additionally, a taxonomy-based screening approach was validated to identify plant species with a high tocotrienol content. The research led to the publication of 15 scientific articles and the acquisition of 1 registered patent.
This project not only advances scientific knowledge but also paves the way for future research and innovation, potentially making a substantial impact on the sector and strengthening Latvia’s competitiveness in the field of agricultural biotechnology.
Congratulations to all project participants for their achievements and valuable contribution to science!