Kazakhstan is very rich in wild plant species, many of them endemic. They are inhabitants of various environments of Kazakhstan - mountains, deserts, steppes etcetera, and many of them are resources of different biologically active substances. Wild plants of Kazakhstan are used widely by native populations as medicines, agents against insects and vermin, and other purposes. To date, however, research on many plant species’ properties from the flora of Kazakhstan are still insufficient and not systemic. Research of biologically active substances from these plants may be very fruitful for practical aims.
Promising plants from Kazakhstan selected through ethnobotanical, scientific literature, or other cues will be examined for natural products that may be of use to agriculture. The objectives of the project are identification and isolation of natural products from plants of Kazakhstan’s flora that might be used as agents against termites (especially the Formosan termite), weeds, plant pathogens (fungi), noxious algae, and other agricultural pests through bioassay-guided protocols. Such agents have some preference when compared to synthetic agents. This research should lead to the identification of new safe agents for agriculture and parent compounds for new potential biologically active products with new modes of action.
The objects of the investigation might be species such as Artemisia sps., Anabasis sps., Tanacetum sps., Peganum harmala L., Allium sps., Ferula sps., Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench., Glycyrchiza glabra L., G. uralensis L., Pyrethrum sps., Juniperus sabina L., and other species of Kazakhstan flora, the list of species will be defined more precisely in the process of research.
The main tasks of investigation are foreseen to include screening of Kazakhstan flora to identify good plant candidates, isolation and identification of their bioactive components, performance of routine bioassays and tests, and evolution of the practical use of their bioactive components.
All responsible executors of the project have high scientific skill (Dr. of Sci. and Dr. of Ph., and qualified specialists) and experience in the field related to the offered proposal. They possess necessary methods of research and have scientific publications.
