2006 Program
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2006 Program Return to Meetings page 2006 AAIC Annual Meeting: New Crops and New Uses: Creating Markets for Economic Development October 14-18, 2006 San Diego, California Program Horticultural/Agronomic Crops Session I (Botanicals and Medicinals) Industrial Crops Session I (Meadowfoam) Industrial Crops Session II (Value-Added Industry Processing) Bioproducts and Bioenergy Session I Industrial Crops Session III (Oilseeds) Horticultural/Agronomic Crops Session II (Fruits and Nuts/Vegetables) Horticultural/Agronomic Crops Session III (Botanicals and Medicinals) Industrial Crops Session IV (Oilseeds) Specialty Crop Initiative Panel Discussion: Building a National Strategy for New Crops Horticultural/Agronomic Crops Session IV (Ornamentals) Industrial Crops Session V (General Crops) Horticultural/Agronomic Crops V (Edible Oilseeds and Grains Session) Industrial Crops Session VI (Latex, Rubber, and Resin) Banquet Presentation Bioproducts and Bioenergy Session II Tools for Efficient Crop Development Poster Session (Herbs, Botanicals, Medicinals, Fruits, and Vegetables) Poster Session (General Crops) Poster Session (Oilseeds) Poster Session (Rubber and Resin) Top of Page ABSTRACTS Horticultural/Agronomic Crops Session I (Botanicals and Medicinals) MEDICINAL AND AROMATIC PLANTS – FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES Lyle Craker Division of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA The first pharmacological use of plants for the treatment of ailments is lost to history, but most likely began at or near the time of the first afflictions. Those plants containing unique chemical profiles that offered relief from nausea, pain, and/or other signs of illness would soon be recognized and valued. Continued experimentation with various materials would undoubtedly lead early humans to associations between specific plants and "feeling better." These plants, now known as medicinal plants, along with various minerals, animal tissues, and fungi, would serve as the primary pharmacy for early civilizations. The objective of this report is to examine past and current trends as a guide file:////jomax.paholdings.com/data/azc3home/brandon3662/Desktop/Project%20files/AAIC/06progrm.htm[3/13/2019 1:56:34 PM] 2006 Program to the future for medicinal and aromatic plant production. Although linked with humans from the earliest of recorded history, the acceptance and application of these materials has oscillated with the development of other medicinals and association of plants with negative myths and historical traditions. In the 20th century, the synthesis of sulfur drugs and the organics produced modern sources of medicine became the preferred method of treatment in some countries, especially in America. In the U.S., the 1910 Flexner Report and the American Medical Association indicated only trained physicians using allopathic pharmaceuticals should be allowed to practice medicine. While many countries continued to use plants as a primary pharmacological repository, America began to re-recognize the value of plants only in the late 1960s. Current trends in plant medicine are primarily science-based and focused on producing high quality, uniform raw materials to produce effective medicines in a sustainable manner. As the use of herbal medicines becomes more prevalent in the Westernized nations, regulator authorities are seeking to ensure that the public will receive safe and effective remedies. Researchers and growers are concerned with developing and producing in the field and in more controlled environments clean materials high in bioactive constituents. Independent, non-government organizations are creating certifications for an equitable and sustainable production, to meet consumer demand for ethically produced products. Future trends indicate a growing market for medicinal and aromatic plants. In addition to pharmaceuticals, market expansion has occurred in such areas as agrotourism, cosmeceuticals, and veterinary products. Demand is for organically grown herbs produced in a sustainable manner with fair-trade prices. ELDERBERRY AS A MEDICINAL PLANT D. Charlebois Horticultural Research and Development Centre, AAFC, Quebec, Canada There is an increase demand to replace synthetic dyes used in food processing. Numerous fruit and vegetables provide excellent sources of natural pigments quite suitable for such use. In its search for a new food colorant, a Canadian company teamed up with Agriculture and Agri-food Canada to understand better the behavior of American elder (berry) (Sambucus nigra sbsp. canadensis)[SN] under cultivation. We report some of our findings about this interesting plant. American elder is a close relative of black elder (Sambucus nigra sbsp. nigra)[SC]. While black elder has been used for centuries in Europe and some parts of Asia and the Middle East, the American elder has remained relatively unknown to North Americans until recently. The taxonomic closeness of these two subspecies is such that they share common medicinal properties. Of interest, the anthocyanins in SC are more stable to light, heat, and pH than in SN, which makes the SC fruit more suitable for transformation. The elderberry fruit is an excellent source of anthocyanins, vitamins A and C, and a good source of calcium, iron, and vitamin B6. It also contains sterol, tannin, and essential oil. Its total antioxidant capacity is one of the highest of all the small fruits. Mild symptoms of stomachache and vomiting have been reported after the consumption of the unripe fruit. However, these mild side effects are outweighed by the numerous medicinal uses for which they are known, some of which are well documented. Among the proposed medicinal properties of elderberry (flowers and fruit) are: diuretic, laxative, and diaphoretic. They have also been use to treat stomachache, constipation, diarrhea, sinus congestion, shore throat, cold, and rheumatism. Elderberry extract can increase insulin production, thus improving sugar absorption. Probably the most documented medicinal effect of elderberry is its capacity to reduce significantly the symptoms associated with the flu. Despite the many claims about the therapeutic value of elderberry, it is still used as a transformed food (juice, jam, jelly…) that it is known by North Americans. Over the past three years, much of our work has been done on cultivation practices, cultivar evaluation, and selection. Yield and pigment vary among cultivars. Those with small fruits usually have higher pigment content. In response to an increased interest for healthy food from the public, we are focusing on the various medicinal properties of elderberry. Pigment content and antioxidant capacity are now been evaluated when analyzing cultivation practices and doing cultivar selection. We are also looking at clinical trials to validate some of the claims reported in the folklores of various countries. file:////jomax.paholdings.com/data/azc3home/brandon3662/Desktop/Project%20files/AAIC/06progrm.htm[3/13/2019 1:56:34 PM] 2006 Program GROWING AND MARKETING NATIVE WOODLAND BOTANICALS J.M. Davis Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Center, 455 Research Drive, Fletcher, NC 28732, USA The market demand for woodland botanicals native to North America is rising. Because many of these herbs are harvested from wild populations, concerns for their conservation are also increasing. At the same time, a small but growing number of herb product manufacturers are requiring documentation that the raw material they purchase is certified organic, low in heavy metals, free of pesticide residues, contains a minimum specified level of bioactives, is traceable to its source, and has a voucher specimen. This provides a unique market opportunity for some farmers, particularly those with wooded acreages. With the exception of ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), however, little information exists on the commercial production and marketing of many of these plants. Markets are also unstable and the risks of producing these crops are great. The objectives of a series of projects on woodland botanicals, including goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), and false unicorn (Chamaelirium luteum) have been (1) to help farmers interested in growing native woodland botanicals by developing commercial production systems, enterprise budgets, and markets; (2) to train extension agents and agriculture students; (3) to build a network of growers and buyers; and (4) to create readily accessible reference materials. This presentation will focus on the results and impacts of some of these projects, demonstrating that production of native woodland botanicals can be a viable enterprise for some farmers. MEDICINAL CROPS FROM AFRICA James E. Simon1, Dan Acquaye2, Elton Jefthas3, Rodolfo Juliani1, and Ramu Govindasamy4 1New Use Agriculture and Natural Plant Products Program, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA 2ASNAPP-Ghana 3ASNAPP- South Africa 4Agricultural Economics and Marketing and the Food Policy Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA Africa is a vast continent with over 50 countries, 800 languages, and 3,000 dialects, and with a diversely rich cultural heritage. Africa is recognized as a veritable treasure of genetic resources including medicinal plants, and these plants still play a significant role in the life, health, and culture of the people. This invited presentation provides