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 Medicinal
& Nutraceutical Plants:
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Division Chair: H. Rodolfo Juliani Rutgers University 59 Dudley Road, Foran Hall New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901 (732) 932-9711 x369 FAX (732) 932-3844 hjuliani@rci.rutgers.edu Scope of the Division: The scope of the division is to conduct research and development activities in the areas of medicinal and nutraceutical crops to support varied industries. The members of the division are conducting research in different disciplines within this group of crops, including germplasm selection and evaluation, cultivation, harvesting, processing, product development or even marketing of different crops and their products. The members of the division are also involved in the chemistry, quality and biological activities of these crops. Medicinal and nutraceutical plants can be defined as those plants containing certain chemical components (also called secondary metabolites or phytochemicals) that exert a pharmacological action in humans and animals. In the last decades, with the increased clinical research it has been found that also primary metabolites, and nutritional elements, can also have health promoting properties, typical examples are unsaturated fatty acids (to lower cholesterol), magnesium (to treat hypertension), and selenium (anticancer). Medicinal and nutraceutical plants include a wide array of plant species and their derived products. The disciplines of the division members are as diverse as the crops they study. Crops Investigated: In the last years, the members of the division have been involved in some of the following crops, their derived products and bioactive components: Chia (Salvia hispanica): seeds (proteins, antioxidants, fatty acids) Borage (Borago officinalis L.): seeds (gamma linolenic acid) Purple Viper's Bugloss (Echium plantagineum): seeds (omega-3 and 6 fatty acids) Camelina (Camelina sativa L.): seeds (omega-3-fatty acids) Aloe (Aloe vera): Leaves Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.): Seeds (calendic acid) Candelilla (Euphorbia antisyphilitica): natural waxes Yuca (Yucca carnerosana), lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla), gobernadora (Larrea tridentata), quinua (Chenopodium quinoa); and hojasen (Flourensia cernua): Plant extracts and isolated components against pathogens (e.g. Fusarium oxysporum). Moringa (Moringa oleifera): seeds, leaves (fatty acids, nutritional elements, antioxidant polyphenols) Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa): dried calyces (anthocyanins) Herbs (Origanum sp, Pelargonium sp, Lippia sp, Cymbopogon sp, Thymus sp): sources of essential oils and antioxidant polyphenols, and dried plant parts for use as spices, and herbal teas Herbs (Salvia sp, Teucrium sp, Sideritis sp): diterpenes and flavones against polyphagous moths Division member links and research programs:
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