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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Functional Foods Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #252226

Title: Phytochemical Analysis of an Extract prepared from Eastern Red Cedar Wood

Author
item Berhow, Mark
item Eller, Fred
item Vermillion, Karl

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/15/2010
Publication Date: 7/15/2010
Citation: Berhow, M.A., Eller, F.J., Vermillion, K. 2010. Phytochemical Analysis of an Extract prepared from Eastern Red Cedar Wood. American Pharmacognacy Society and Phytochemical Society of America Joint Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) is one of the few conifer species native to the Midwest plains, and is one of the few tree species whose range and plant numbers have actually increased in the past century. Because of its encroachment onto open lands, it is now considered an invasive species in some areas. The wood is durable and has unique biological properties, but the phytochemical composition has not been adequately described. Eastern red cedar could be a new alternative crop if it can be developed as a source of new natural phytochemical-based products. Samples from eastern red cedar were extracted with a series of extraction steps, the extracts were characterized by LC-MS and NMR, resulting the identification of several phytochemicals including at least one new compound. Evaluation of these compounds for biological activities is currently underway.