Project expands jaborandi production to meet pharmaceutical industry demand

Centroflora, in partnership with the Senai Embrapii Unit for Green Chemistry Technologies, is leading a strategic project to expand jaborandi production and increase the pilocarpine content, the active pharmaceutical ingredient used in medications for glaucoma and xerostomia. The initiative has already received approximately R$ 2.5 million in investments and aims to strengthen the production chain of a pharmaceutical raw material with global relevance.

According to Luciene Costa Vasconcelos, Centroflora’s Industrial Manager, one of the project's main challenges has been adapting the species—native to the humid regions of the Amazon rainforest—to the climatic conditions of the semi-arid region of Piauí. The work involves research on soil microbiota, irrigation, agricultural management, and cultivation techniques aimed at increasing both productivity and the concentration of the active compound in the plant.

According to Luciene, the project demonstrates how the integration of agronomy, chemistry, biology, and biotechnology can transform a native Brazilian species into a high-value pharmaceutical ingredient. In addition to driving innovation in the sector, the initiative reinforces Centroflora’s commitment to sustainability, traceability, and the development of solutions based on Brazil’s rich biodiversity.

Read the full story on Globo Rural.