Substitution and adulteration of complexes of medicinal roots

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Example of substitution between fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) and Khella (Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam.). Photo: Inanc Tekguc

The Moroccan traditional herbal medicine is very popular but threated by the increase of demands. To preserve the traditional livelihood, the identification and conservation of medicinal plants are fundamental.

Plant identification using genetic methods (barcoding) is widely established. However, limited attempts have been done for the identification of medicinal plants. This project will aim to design a genetics/bioinformatics methods based on metabarcoding and high-throughput sequencing to identify with accuracy medicinal plants used within the Moroccan traditional medicine.

In parallel, getting information on the medicinal plants from the local populations is an important aspect of the identification work. The ethnoclassification learned from herbalists and collectors will be valuable information for the plant conservation.

The goal of the study is to preserve wild populations of medicinal plants in order to find a sustainable use of traditional medicine.

Image may contain: Font, Rectangle, Logo, Parallel, Brand. The PhD project is part of a Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN): MedPlant.
The Global Diversity Foundation is a partner in the project.
Khella (Ammi visnaga (L.) Lam.). Photo: Inanc Tekguc
Pellitory (Anacyclus pyrethrum var. pyrethrum), medicinal and endangered species. Photo: Inanc Tekguc
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Herbalist shop in the Medina, Marrakech, Morocco. Photo: Vincent Manzanilla
 

 

Published Apr. 12, 2022 8:26 AM - Last modified Apr. 12, 2022 11:56 AM