Phytochemical Analysis of Actaea racemosa (black cohosh) for Identification of Plant Accessions with Desirable Properties for Development of a Regional Cultivar

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is a popular herbal remedy for menopausal symptoms. Due to extensive wild harvesting of rhizomes, the sustainability of this species in the wild is of great concern. Cultivation can help meet the demand for plant material, and thus the creation of a regional black cohosh cultivar for western North Carolina with desirable properties is of great interest. We are engaged in a collaborative effort to identify black cohosh accessions with desirable plant growth characteristics and phytochemical profiles. We are currently performing HPLC quantification of triterpenoid glycosides and other biologically active compounds found in select black cohosh populations that have been grown under controlled conditions in order to observe both intra- and interpopulation variation throughout their native range. Important plant growth data for the black cohosh accessions is being collected, including morphological descriptors, emergence dates, flowering dates, and seed production. These measurements will aid in identifying plants well-suited for cultivation in western North Carolina. Furthermore, microsatellite genetic markers will be screened in order to collect population genomics data for black cohosh and to correlate individual genotypes with superior phytochemical production and desirable growth traits. We will use these data together to select genotypes which may be used to develop a regional cultivar, as well as to observe whether there is genetically-induced variation in phytochemical production. Given the increasing demand for quality herbal products, the creation and production of a cultivar with demonstrably higher levels of triterpenoid glycosides might give an advantage to local growers in our region.

Acknowledgements: This research is supported by a Multidisciplinary Research Grant from the North Carolina Biotechnology Center. This research is also supported in part by the College of Arts and Sciences at Western Carolina University