Bituminaria bituminosa
Encyclopedia
Bituminaria bituminosa, the Arabian pea or pitch
trefoil, is a perennial Mediterranean herb species in the genus Bituminaria
.
The pterocarpan
s bitucarpin A and B can be isolated from the aerial parts of B. bituminosa.
It has several potential uses: (i) forage crop, (ii) Phytostabilization of heavy metal contaminated or degraded soils, (iii) Synthesis of furanocoumarin
s (psoralen
, angelicin
, xanthotoxin and bergapten
), compounds of broad pharmaceutical interest.
It is easily recognizable by the characteristic smell of bitumen from its leaves. This strong tar-like characteristic aroma appears to be the result of a combination of several substances such as phenolics, sulphurated compounds, sesquiterpene
s and probably short-chain hydrocarbon. Total polyphenols content was < 2% and the condensed tannins was <0.8% in a dry weight basis.
Pitch (resin)
Pitch is the name for any of a number of viscoelastic, solid polymers. Pitch can be made from petroleum products or plants. Petroleum-derived pitch is also called bitumen. Pitch produced from plants is also known as resin. Products made from plant resin are also known as rosin.Pitch was...
trefoil, is a perennial Mediterranean herb species in the genus Bituminaria
Bituminaria
Bituminaria is small genus of perennial herbs from the family Fabaceae.-Species:* Bituminaria acaulis* Bituminaria bituminosa* Bituminaria morisiana...
.
The pterocarpan
Pterocarpan
Pterocarpans are derivatives of isoflavonoids found in the Fabaceae family. It is a group of compounds which can be described as benzo-pyrano-furano-benzenes Pterocarpans are derivatives of isoflavonoids found in the Fabaceae family. It is a group of compounds which can be described as...
s bitucarpin A and B can be isolated from the aerial parts of B. bituminosa.
It has several potential uses: (i) forage crop, (ii) Phytostabilization of heavy metal contaminated or degraded soils, (iii) Synthesis of furanocoumarin
Furanocoumarin
Furanocoumarins, or furocoumarins, are a class of organic chemical compounds produced by a variety of plants. They are biosynthesized partly through the phenylpropanoid pathway and the mevalonate pathway, which is biosynthesized by a coupling of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate and 7-hydroxycoumarin...
s (psoralen
Psoralen
Psoralen is the parent compound in a family of natural products known as furocoumarins. It is structurally related to coumarin by the addition of a fused furan ring, and may be considered as a derivative of umbelliferone...
, angelicin
Angelicin
Angelicin is a furanocoumarin. It can be found in Bituminaria bituminosa. It is present in the list of IARC Group 3 carcinogens ....
, xanthotoxin and bergapten
Bergapten
Bergapten is a psoralen found in bergamot essential oil, in other citrus essential oils, and in grapefruit juice. It is the chemical in bergamot oil that causes phototoxicity. Bergapten-free bergamot essential oil or synthetics are now used in perfumery....
), compounds of broad pharmaceutical interest.
It is easily recognizable by the characteristic smell of bitumen from its leaves. This strong tar-like characteristic aroma appears to be the result of a combination of several substances such as phenolics, sulphurated compounds, sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpene
Sesquiterpenes are a class of terpenes that consist of three isoprene units and have the molecular formula C15H24. Like monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes may be acyclic or contain rings, including many unique combinations...
s and probably short-chain hydrocarbon. Total polyphenols content was < 2% and the condensed tannins was <0.8% in a dry weight basis.
See also
- List of native plants of Palestine (A-B)
- Orto Botanico di MontemarcelloOrto Botanico di MontemarcelloThe Orto Botanico di Montemarcello is a nature preserve and botanical garden located within the Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra, near Ameglia, Province of La Spezia, Liguria, Italy....
near Ameglia, Province of La Spezia, Liguria, Italy