Comparative GC-MS study of Schizonepeta multifida essential oil from Khakassia Republic shows potentials for nutraceuticals, flavor, and conservation

Schizonepeta multifida (L.) Briq. (Lamiaceae) is among the widely used botanicals in Siberian traditional and modern health and personal care practices, shelf life extension of agricultural produce, antimicrobial, and insect repellent. We investigated the variations or differences in the chemical composition of essential oils in wild accessions harvested from two distinct geographical regions, 'habitat-1' and 'habitat-2', in the Republic of Khakassia, Siberia. The oils were obtained by subjecting the aboveground parts of the plant to hydro-distillation, with subsequent assessment of the chemical composition using GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The oil composition varied quite a lot according the number of components (61 in samples from 'habitat-1', 45 in sample from 'habitat-2'), the dominant components (pulegone 33.36 %, limonene 20.95 %, cis-beta-ocimene 9.96 % and isomenthone 5.31 % from 'habitat-1', limonene 27.98 %, cis-beta-ocimene 14.42 %, pulegone 14.20 %, beta-myrcene 11.95 %, and terpinolene 6.33 % from 'habitat-2'). In light of the continued overharvesting resulting in genetic erosion, further studies are warranted to establish in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies of all populations representing different chemotypes/ecotypes and identifying promising genetic lines for sustainable cultivation as a source of renewable raw material for the oil

Medicinal plants in the Altai Mountains: reserves of raw materials and annual possible volumes of harvesting

Russia is one of the leading exporters of wild medicinal plants in Europe, and the Altai Mountains are the main harvest areas. The conservation strategy includes both the exploitation of wild populations and the cultivation of medicinal plants. To avoid over-harvesting of medicinal plants in nature it is essential to observe the mode of sustainable use. The paper aims to analyse data on resources of 91 medicinal plant species in the Altai Mountains. Exploitable reserves, annual possible volume of harvesting and harvesting periodicity are given for 34 commercial species. We compared data on dynamics of harvestings and exploitable reserves for brand species with subsurface parts used. The Altai Mountains has great potential as a resource region of medicinal plants. Commercial harvesters apparently ignore the mode of sustainable use. The question needs further research and effective enforcement of the legal framework

Medicinal plants in the Altai Mountains: reserves of raw materials and annual possible volumes of harvesting

Russia is one of the leading exporters of wild medicinal plants in Europe, and the Altai Mountains are the main harvest areas. The conservation strategy includes both the exploitation of wild populations and the cultivation of medicinal plants. To avoid over-harvesting of medicinal plants in nature it is essential to observe the mode of sustainable use. The paper aims to analyse data on resources of 91 medicinal plant species in the Altai Mountains. Exploitable reserves, annual possible volume of harvesting and harvesting periodicity are given for 34 commercial species. We compared data on dynamics of harvestings and exploitable reserves for brand species with subsurface parts used. The Altai Mountains has great potential as a resource region of medicinal plants. Commercial harvesters apparently ignore the mode of sustainable use. The question needs further research and effective enforcement of the legal framework

Coenocomplex and ecological area of Atragene speciosa Weinm. in the Altai-Sayan mountain region

Atragene speciosa Weinm. is a valuable nootropic medicinal plant, but not abundant in nature. The coenocomplex of Atragene speciosa consists mainly of dark coniferous taiga forest. The species composition of this cenocomplex includes 324 species, 74 of which are constant. According to humidity of habitats, this species is in the mesophyte group, and, according to the abundance and salinity or nutrient status of soil, it refers to the mesotrophic group. Cattle grazing is very little or absent in the sites of its vegetation