Summary of Abstract;

Feijoa, a plant that grows prolifically in New Zealand has a fruit that is well known to most New Zealanders. Scientifically called Acca sellowiana, feijoa is also known as pineapple guava and is a member of the Myrtaceae family. Chemical profiling of different tissues from the feijoa plant has shown an array of useful high-value bioactive compounds, many of which have health benefits that include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities.

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This research investigated and applied advanced tissue culture technology to develop cell suspension cultures from feijoa to generate cellular biomass. This cellular biomass was then used to produce high-value bioactive compounds of interest.

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This study also reported for the first time the identification of “arctigenin” from feijoa, a high-value compound with known pharmaceutical properties, including anti-tumour, anti-inflammatory, and anti-colitis effects. Other high-value bioactive compounds with potential applications in cosmeceuticals and nutraceuticals have also been detected from Feijoa.