| Abstract |
Orobanche caerulescens is a plant belonging to the family Orobanchaceae, and needs to parasitize upon the roots of Artemisia capillaris. Obviously, the O. caerulescens are discontinuously distributed. This distribution pattern has always been a topic of concern in Biogeography, but the distribution pattern and population structure in Taiwan have not to be clarified. The pharmacological studies have pointed out that the main components of O. caerulescens are phenylethanoid glycosides (PhGs), which enhance liver protection, anti-oxidation, anti-aging, neuro-protection and immune regulation. The Echinacoside acts as a reference standard. In Taiwan, O. caerulescens is considered neither food nor medicine. The conventional Chinese physician should not be using it; however, it has long been used by the indigenous in Taiwan. It is also cultivated and merchandised by private institutions. It is very important to establish the statistical database of its implant components as a referent legal grounding. This project will collect O. caerulescens from different locations in Taiwan, and compare the relationship of environmental factors and metabolites, in order to set up a baseline for further cultivation and pharmaceutical use. We would like to study its metabolic products using a portable mass spectrometer developed by our Chemical department. The matrix-assisted ionization method is applied to directly study the subject’s metabolic products without affecting from the subject’s biological interventions. Not only simplifies the analysis procedure, the portable mass spectrometer also works outside the laboratory. It allows us to collect samples and get the initial test result on site. This project examines a potential medicinal plant using a novel analytical tool and Biology. It is highly competitive globally in both fundamental Biology study and industrial application. |
