Research Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 18 (1) January (2023) Res. J. Biotech. 127 Review Paper: A Systematic Review on Edible Vaccines Polshettiwar Satish A.*, Khatavkar Swarupa, Vaidehi Gautam, Chandorkar Purva and Shastri Aarti School of Pharmacy, Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Survey No.124, Kothrud, Pune, Maharashtra 411038, INDIA *drsatishpolshettiwar@gmail.com Abstract Edible vaccines are promisingly cheaper, easy to take in, safe and easily stored, fool-proof and socially justifiable, especially in poorly developed countries. These vaccines are made by inserting the necessary genes into the plants, which result in the production of the requisite encoded proteins. This concept was introduced ten years ago, but now this has become a reality. A large variety of drug delivery systems have been developed till today. Initially, it was considered to be used only to prevent infectious diseases, but now it is also used as a preventive measure for autoimmune diseases, oncotherapy, family planning etc. Many edible vaccines are currently produced for a variety of human and animal diseases. The concept of transgenic crops is increasingly embraced in industries as well as in developing countries. The fate of edible vaccines may be influenced due to opposition to genetically altered foods. The major obstacles in the approach of the upcoming vaccine technology are already overcome. But the technical hurdles, regulatory and non-scientific confrontations are yet to be subdued. This review attempts to explore the present-day stature and the upcoming scope of these new methods of prevention. Keywords: Edible vaccines, encoded proteins, transgenic crops, infectious diseases. Introduction Vaccines are used mainly to protect an individual from diseases. These days, people prefer edible vaccines as they are very cheap and more affordable. Charles Arentzen first demonstrated the edible vaccine concept in 1990. Edible vaccines are plant-derived vaccines containing proteins and vitamins and act as defense mechanisms against a particular disease. These vaccines mainly act on two systems that are the Mucosal and the Humoral immune system. Recently there is an increased availability of these vaccines for many diseases such as Measles, Cholera, Foot and Mouth syndrome. When edible vaccines are taken orally, it enhances the immune system. 1,2 Vaccines are the preparations that make an individual physically and mentally fit. They are used to cure a particular disease. In 1798, Edward Jenner derived the concepts of vaccine and vaccination from Variola vaccine to denote Cowpox. 3,4 ● The vaccine includes microbes that cause diseases and it can be made from a killed pathogenic agent which the body recognizes and destroys. ● The first vaccine was developed acting against smallpox. There are also vaccines against many diseases such as Polio, Measles, Tetanus, Hepatitis-B. The vaccine can be prophylactic or therapeutic. ● The intake of vaccines is called vaccination. ● Influenza Vaccine, HPV Vaccine and Chickenpox Vaccine are effective vaccines. ● Recently vaccines are available for 25 infections. Edible vaccines concept Edible vaccines are made by inserting the necessary genes into plants which result in the production of the requisite encoded proteins. This approach is known as "transformation," and the modified plants are known as "transgenic plants." Principally, edible vaccines are genetically modified (GM) crops that give additional immunity against some diseases like Hepatitis B, diarrhea, pneumonia, STDs, HIV etc. Edible vaccines contain virulent proteins and do not contain infectious genes. There is no evidence of edible vaccines producing illness and protection is guaranteed. Edible vaccine is the novel perspective towards oral vaccination. This technology would contribute to the global vaccine program and will significantly impact the well-being of people in developing countries. Pathogens mainly attack the mucosal surfaces and thus such surfaces are considered the most efficient sites of immunization. Edible vaccines are responsible for triggering both mucosal and systemic immunity since they come in contact with the GIT lining. This double effect would provide the first-line resistance against infective agents that enter through the mucosa. 5-7 New techniques were established for the invention of vaccines as vaccines are the primary need nowadays. Vaccines are proteins derived from pathogenic parasites. In Surrogate production, green plants are used to produce antigens. The proteins present in edible vaccines help to augment the immune response when ingested via the oral cavity. Mainly plant cells are an essential factor of human food. Edible vaccines mainly have the motive to make an individual immunologically strong. Production of edible vaccine Selection of a required gene: The insertion of genes into a plant and procuring the altered plant producing encoded proteins for the making of edible vaccines is called transformation. The plants are called transgenic plants. The critical factors determined for edible vaccines are the epitope