Managing the persistent tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease usually requires a trip to the pharmacy, but scientists at the University of Florida are investigating whether the solution might actually be found in the dirt.
Researchers from the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) have launched a new study to explore velvet beans as a natural, plant-based treatment for the disease, which currently affects more than 1.1 million Americans.
The project centers on L-DOPA, the active ingredient in the common Parkinson’s medication levodopa. While most plants do not carry much of it, velvet beans are a rare exception.
“Velvet bean produces unusually high levels of L-DOPA compared to most other plants,” explains Jeongim Kim, an associate professor of horticultural sciences and lead of the Biochemical Genetics Lab. Kim and her team are working to decode exactly how the plant produces the compound and how that production can be controlled through genetics.
READ: Root For Your Community: Pasco County To Give Away 1,000 Free Trees This Arbor Day
A major driver for this research is the challenge of global medication access. Because traditional Parkinson’s drugs can be expensive or difficult to obtain in certain regions of the world, finding a way to grow the treatment locally could change lives.
To find the best candidates for the job, the team has gathered velvet bean varieties from Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the U.S. to test them at a research site in Citra, Florida.
The goal is to see how different environments and genetics impact how much L-DOPA a bean produces. “Some accessions produce very small amounts, while others produce extremely high levels,” says Kelly Balmant, an assistant professor whose lab is currently sequencing the velvet bean genome.
Unlike massive commodity crops like corn or soybeans, the velvet bean hasn’t been mapped out by scientists yet, making this fundamental genetic work essential for future medical use.
However, the velvet bean isn’t exactly “table-ready” for the average person. The pods are covered in irritating, itchy hairs that make them difficult to harvest or handle. Researchers are looking into breeding these traits out while keeping the medicinal benefits intact.
READ: Resilient Florida Blueberry Growers Battle Back After Harsh Winter Freeze
If the velvet bean proves too tough a sell for the American palate, the team has a backup plan. They are investigating whether they can use what they learn to boost the tiny amounts of naturally occurring L-DOPA found in more popular crops, like fava beans and soybeans, bringing them closer to the levels found in velvet beans.
The study, funded by the UF/IFAS “Food is Medicine” initiative, involves a diverse group of neurologists, engineers, and chemists. For those on the front lines of the research, the stakes feel personal. “With this project, there’s a direct connection to helping people. There’s a real link to alleviating human suffering, and that makes the work feel especially meaningful,” says Max Munro, a research fellow in Kim’s lab.
As the trials continue in Central Florida, the team hopes their work will eventually provide a more accessible way for patients everywhere to manage their symptoms.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
