ABSTRACT
Floriculture industry is currently the fastest growing biological industry and has taken front seat when we talk of transgenic flowers of diversified applicability and importance. Whether it be aroma, scent or for the case oils, new and refined approaches are being constantly explored and tested in development of reliable and affordable floriculturals used in different rituals and on ceremonial occasions. Conventional breeding practices have greatly helped in producing new varieties of flowers with improved aromatic oils and scents. But modern plant biotechnology and genetic engineering tools have greatly improvised the approach in development of novel and quality floricultural produce. Among the diverse range of quality improvisations, consistent efforts are being made to design and conceptualize methodical strategies in developing skin medico cosmetics in flowers itself and can be taken as such or to be utilized in skin ointments and creams in treatment of various skin-related ailments or to increase the antioxidant potential of already existing creams. Newer areas of biotechnology such as genomics, proteomics, and gene mapping have been applied to floricultural plants and have led to the isolation and characterization of genes of potential commercial interest. As on date, there is little scientific literature available that summons the manipulation of candidate genes that directly refer to the use of transgenic floricultural crops for the production of pharmaceuticals or secondary products or as plants in phyto-remediation systems. Producing biomedicines for skin in plants and using it as natural bio-cosmeceutical preparations will help in eliminating the skin tenderness toward the very allergens. Latest gene-editing technologies in which new genes of commercial importance or already known genes with potential properties are being introduced into living systems are edited to further add value to their already existing vigor. From a technology-developer viewpoint, the potential return from research on producing these novel traits in the smaller crops typical in floriculture may be less than it is possible with the “further up the chain” consumer traits, such as the production of flower scent. Nonetheless, it will pave way for the larger interest to the biological community, especially to genetic engineers and biotechnologists to further expand the anticipatory production in these plants. Here, we summarize the current status of research viz-a-viz advancements in modern floriculture industry and scientific efforts to be put in place in producing skin medico cosmetics and phytopharmaceuticals in flowers to be used in the treatment of a range of skin ailments based on hypersensitivity, direct oxidative, and UV damage.
