Pimpinella anisum L. (Anise): Cell Culture, Somatic Embryogenesis, and the Production of Anise Oil

摘要: Anise originated in the eastern Mediterranean region and is native to Asia Minor, Greece Egypt. Principal anise-growing regions are Spain, Soviet Union, France North Africa as well some parts of Germany (Deutschmann et al. 1979; Wagner 1980). Moreover, anise commercially cultivated Chile, China USA (Embong 1977). The plant belongs UmbeUiferae family, has a distinct spicy-aromatic (anise-like) smell, an aromatic-sweetish taste, with greyish-green upside-down pear-shaped, about 2-mm-long schizocarps 1-year-old herb-like which may grow up 50 cm (Wagner fine fusiform roots, ribbed stem branched pubiscent leaves. lower vegetative leaves roundish-reniform, whereas upper consist narrow-leaved pinnas. blossom umbel filamentous involucral bracts white short petals 1979). As medicinal herb aromatic plant, one oldest cultigens. Hippocrates used for treatment jaundice and, Middle Ages, it was taken medicine cough cancer, cases snake scorpion bites, mental diseases epilepsy; even diuretic. first legal certification oil dates back beginning 16th century (Gildemeister Hoffmann 1956). annual world production oil, including coriander amounts much 500 tons 1956, 1966). fruit its essential spicy seasoning (in biscuits, Vinschgl = “long-time bread” from South Tyrol preserved fruits), flavour additive field oral hygiene toothpastes gargles), confectionery industry alcoholic beverages, such liqueur or brandy 1980; Zepernick 1984). In medicine, carminative, spasmolytic expectorant effects drug interest (Weiss 1974; plant’s importance shown nowadays adaptation into European pharmacopeias: DAB 8 (FRG), 7 (GDR), OAB 9 (Austria), Helv VI (Switzerland) Ph. Eur. III (Europe).