William N. Setzer

Biologically Active Phytochemicals from Monteverde, Costa Rica

The purpose of this research is to carry out exploratory research on the isolation, biological testing and identification of potentially useful natural products from Monteverde, Costa Rica. Specifically, we collect plant materials from the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve and the Monteverde community, Costa Rica. We concentrate our screening on the Araliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Clusiaceae, Proteaceae, and Rutaceae families. Crude extracts from these plants are tested for fungicidal and bacteriocidal activity, antiviral activity, and cytotoxicity. Those extracts which show biological activity are fractionated and the active compounds identified.

This project is especially attractive in that not only does it provide us with additional new pharmacopeia from natural sources (before those sources are lost through deforestation and other habitat destruction), but it also serves to provide additional arguments for conserving the diversity of the tropics as well as identifying potential alternative (and ecologically less damaging) "cash crops" for critical tropical habitats. Thus, this project also addresses the problem of the degenerating environment in tropical America; the crisis of the decline of biodiversity in these areas. Specifically, this project involves:

  1. an inventory of tropical biota in terms of medicinal natural products;
  2. conservation of tropical natural areas; and
  3. providing alternative cash crops for critical tropical habitats.

Another attractive feature of this project is the interdisciplinary nature of the research. There are three principal collaborators who bring many different areas of complementary expertise into the project. In addition, the project provides hands-on experience for undergraduate students. The Departments of Chemistry and Biological Sciences and the University of Alabama in Huntsville are all acutely aware of the potential shortage of future scientists and we are therefore committee to undergraduate research participation as part of quality scientific education and training.