Abstract Book - 3rd International Symposium on Medicinal Plants ...

9.10 The Importance of Gentiana lutea as Medical Plant for Herbal
Supplemented Beverage
Razmovski N. Radojka, and Vučurović M. Vesna
Faculty of Technology, University of Novi Sad, Boulevard Cara Lazara 1, 21000 Novi Sad,
Republic of Serbia.
<strong>Abstract</strong>: This study was conducted to analyse the importance and the potential of Gentiana
lutea as medical plant for herbal supplemented beverage in Serbia. Gentiana lutea belongs to
family of Gentianaceae, flowering plants comprising approximately 70–80 genera and 900–1200
species. This medical plant grows naturally on uncultivated ground in central and southern Europe
including Balkan mountains. In Serbia it can be found on mountains as Zlatibor, Tara and
Kopaonik (altitude of 300-2500 m). Gentiana lutea is an official drug in many pharmacopoeias and
it is present commercially in the form of dried fermented rhizomes and roots. The root has
antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, bitter, febrifuge, refrigerant and stomachic properties. These
properties can be attributed mainly to secoiridoid bitter compounds, such as gentiopicroside,
amarogentin, swertiamarin and group of xanthones such as isovitexin and isogentisin. Taking into
account the anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties as well as different pharmacological activities
of Gentiana extracts, it was desirable to explore and compare few different traditionally procedures
for the prodution of herbal supplemented alcoholic beverages. There are several well known
traditional procedures depending on ethno regions. The most widely used method include
extraction of 30 g/l sliced fermented roots in 1 l grape brandy (45% v/v ethanol) or white wine
during seven days. After filtration supplemented beverage should be stored in dark place until
further use. This study aims at emphasizing the greatest importance of investigation of Gentiana
lutea since there is a growing interest in the food industry and in preventive health care in the
development and evaluation of natural healing agents from plants. This research is financed by
Ministry of Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Project TR-31002).
Key words: Gentiana lutea, medical plant, supplemented beverage.
9.11 Food and Medicinal Uses of Agave Sap Species in Western Mexico
Valenzuela, A. and Montiel, A.
Signo Tequila Foundation, Universidad de Guadalajara.
<strong>Abstract</strong>: Since Precolumbian times agave sap rich in sugars (honey-water) in Mexico, are a
source for food, beverages, ferments, remedies and fibres. During Clasic period of Aztec Culture,
ebriety, nutrition and medicinal were assigned in a godess complex and pulque (ferments). Codex
form central Mexico and descriptions are evidences about man-agave simbiosis. The most
important products were fresh juices from saps (honeywater or “aguamiel”) and their ferments
(pulque). Tequila is a national liquor, very well known and produced in this región from Agave
tequilana. Ethnobotanical research in agave species for saps has been scarse. From 2008 to
2012, we made 20 interviews, plant collects and species identification, crop systems classification,
soils and weather types, uses as ferments, in gastronomy and medicinal remedies. How are the
saps species and their cultivations patterns in Tequila land Literature sources were reviewed and
regional “pulque” history. Results showed differences in the agave saps species used in Jalisco,
traditional knowledge and cultivation systems. We found two regions, with different species and
production systems. The most intense cultivated system is represented by agave cultivars
selected by asexually propagation. They are planted since XIX century with A. americana,
Americanae, A. salmiana and A mapisaga both Salmianae. Average total anual rain in this area is
500-600 mm with a soils diversity range. A second group is a wild and semi-domesticated
production system of A. inaequidens and A. hookeri both Crenatae. They have a predominant
sexual propagation, grown in volcanic soils (basalts), in mountains with pine and oak forest, total
anual rain between 1000-1400 mm. Today, more medicinal and nutritional attributes are given to
“aguamiel” and “pulque” and less for ineabriation. This nutritious ferment 3-4% alcohol is
recomended to mothers feeding, children, aged and sick people for a oligo-elements and
aminoacids. Cooked juices from fresh leaves are used for tramautism, cicatrisants and celular re-
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