The investigation of perspective spices (aromatic) plants of Asteraceae family in Lithuania

Abstract

The diversity of medicinal, spice (aromatic) plants (MAPs) is important from the scientific and practical point of view (WHO traditional medicine strategy: 2014-2023). WHO estimated that 80 percent of people worldwide rely on herbal medicine for some aspect of their primary health care needs. In the twenty-first century specific attention is paid to conservation, preservation and cultivation of MAPs and to the evaluation of their quality and quantity (The Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 2011-2020). The aim of research is the introduction and phytochemical investigation of Asteraceae Bercht. & J.Presl family spice (aromatic) plants. Complex interdisciplinary research on Asteraceae family spice (aromatic) plants by modified methods of collection and phytochemical analysis in 2017-2018 was carried out in two bases: in Spice − Melliferous plants collections in Scientific sector of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of Botanical Garden at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU) and in The Instrumental Analysis Open Access Center in Faculty of Natural Sciences at VMU. The primary introductory study of Asteraceae family spice (aromatic) plants has enabled following conclusions: 1. Phenological observation, phytochemical investigation of Asteraceae family plants revealed that new species from foreign geographic regions can be successfully introduced in Lithuania. 2. Asteraceae is a large family of spice (aromatic) plants and sources of raw material, used for pharmacy, phytotherapy, veterinary and food industry practice.