The Future of High-Value Botanicals: Exploring Plant Cell Culture Innovations

In today’s rapidly changing world, ensuring a consistent supply of high-value botanicals is more crucial than ever. As supply chains face threats from unpredictable weather, political instability, and disease, plant cell culture emerges as a promising solution, capable of sustaining high-value botanical production.

Rather than nurturing fully-grown plants with sunlight, water, and soil, a growing number of startups are leveraging bioreactors to cultivate plant cells under optimized conditions. This approach accelerates the production of high-value compounds and secondary metabolites found in well-known botanicals like aloe vera, vanilla, and cocoa polyphenols.

Case Study: Krokos Bio and the Quest for Saffron

California-based Krokos Bio, led by founder and CEO Jacob Lang, has recently secured funding from Big Idea Ventures. The company is focusing on saffron, the expensive spice derived from the stigmas of the Crocus sativus plant, renowned for its unique flavor and vibrant color.

Lang, who has extensive experience in bioprocess development, founded Krokos Bio in mid-2024 after recognizing the economic potential of plant cell culture in producing high-value botanicals.

“Many rare botanicals are threatened,” Lang explains in an interview with AgFunderNews. “Their supply is often concentrated in specific regions, making them vulnerable to climate shocks—like Madagascar’s vanilla supply being decimated by cyclones.” He believes that plant cell culture could serve as a complementary solution to conventional agriculture.

The Economic Viability of Plant Cell Culture

Focusing on saffron made sense for Krokos, as Lang became aware of the drought conditions impacting saffron production in Iran, which has a significant effect on global prices. “Low-quality saffron is already going for $1,000 per kilogram,” he notes, “making it a viable target for our plant cell culture efforts.”

In developing plant cell cultures, Krokos examines various bioreactor designs and materials. Lang mentions looking at both plastic and repurposed brewing equipment to keep costs low while increasing efficiency.

While few manufacturers specialize in plant cell culture, Lang points out a growing number of potential partners across the US, Europe, and South America. Investors, too, have started taking notice of this innovative technology, as companies like Mondelēz and Lindt have engaged in this space.

Innovative Cultivation Processes

To grow saffron using plant cell culture, Lang explains that Krokos takes samples from source plants, de-differentiates them, and creates a callus culture. This unorganized mass of cells can then rapidly reproduce in liquid suspension culture. The process enhances yield significantly while shortening the research and development timeline, an essential factor in plant cell culture where low productivity has historically posed challenges.

“We’ve created a modification to the workflow that enhances yields and cuts down the R&D timeline,” Lang reveals, hinting at the filing of a provisional patent for these advancements.

Saffron’s key compounds—crocin, picrocrocin, and safranal—are not only responsible for its culinary appeal but are also studied for their health benefits, including improvements in mood, sleep, and metabolic health.

Viable Economic Models in Plant Cell Culture

Lang states that the economics surrounding plant cell culture can be highly favorable, even at pilot scale. The value of saffron translates to potentially viable unit economics early in the production process, highlighting the financial promise of this innovative approach.

As Krokos Bio forges ahead, partnerships with ingredient companies and distributors will be crucial. This collaborative model allows them to navigate the complexities of funding and manufacturing while ensuring they meet market demands.

Lang emphasizes the importance of having a clear understanding of market needs before diving into technical development: “You don’t want to spend three years making something you can’t sell.” He acknowledges, however, that establishing healthy, stable calluses presents a technical challenge that requires careful attention and innovation.

Conclusion

The exploration of plant cell culture technology signals an exciting future for high-value botanicals like saffron. As startups like Krokos Bio break new ground, the potential for sustainable production in the face of global challenges becomes ever more attainable.

Further Reading:

• Could plant cell culture pave the way for the next generation of antioxidants and antimicrobials?
• Plant cell culture startup Green Bioactives preps for first commercial launches in 2026
• Cocoa, minus the beans: California Cultured plans launch in 2026
• Futureproofing the botanicals supply chain with plant cell culture startup Ayana Bio