Invasive Plant Species Biomass-Evaluation of Functional Value.

Anamarija Peter,Dubravka Dujmović Purgar,Jana Šic Žlabur,Neven Voća,Sandra Voća,Jona Šurić,Lato Pezo

doi:10.3390/molecules26133814

Abstract

Invasive plant species (IAS), with their numerous negative ecological, health, and economic impacts, represent one of the greatest conservation challenges in the world. Reducing the negative impacts and potentially exploiting the biomass of these plant species can significantly contribute to sustainable management, protect biodiversity, and create a healthy environment. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritional potential, phytochemical status, and antioxidant capacity of nine alien invasive plant species: Abutilon theophrasti, Amaranthus retroflexus, Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Datura stramonium, Erigeron annuus, Galinsoga ciliata, Reynoutria japonica, Solidago gigantea, and Sorghum halepense. Multivariate statistical methods such as cluster and PCA were performed to determine possible connections and correlations among selected IAS depending on the phytochemical content. According to the obtained results, R. japonica was notable with the highest content of vitamin C (38.46 mg/100 g FW); while E. annuus (1365.92 mg GAE/100 g FW) showed the highest values of total polyphenolic compounds. A. retroflexus was characterized by the highest content of total chlorophylls (0.26 mg/g) and antioxidant capacity (2221.97 µmol TE/kg). Therefore, it can be concluded that the selected IAS represent nutrient-rich plant material with significant potential for the recovering of bioactive compounds.

Highlights

Awareness of the need to protect nature and the diversity of life on our planet is key to a healthy and sustainable future
The highest value of ash was obtained by G. ciliata, while R. japonica had the highest values of protein and total nitrogen content
R. japonica was notable with high ascorbic acid content and total flavonoid content, while E. annuus had the highest total phenol content

Summary

Introduction

Awareness of the need to protect nature and the diversity of life on our planet is key to a healthy and sustainable future. Ecosystems’ health and stability are deteriorating, and changes on Earth that took place over millions of years are happening within a century, even a decade, and there is almost no ecosystem that has not been affected by humans [3,4]. Human impact is most visible through habitat modification and destruction, ecosystem degradation, pollution, population growth, and, most importantly, transport and migration leading to the introduction and spread of invasive alien species (IAS) [4]

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Conclusion