19/12/2008

Christmas trees could provide part of the answer to treating the killer bird flu virus and bring £10 million a year to Wales, latest research at Bangor University has shown.

Scientists at the university's BC Centre, working on a Woodknowledge Wales project, have discovered that Welsh grown Sitka spruce contains valuable pharmaceutical material.

Pine needles which drop into the carpet and are still found months later contain traces of shikimic acid, described by experts as an essential ingredient in the world's only weapon against bird flu.

And now the research project sponsored by WKW, on behalf of the Wales Forest Business Partnership, points to a possible way to extract this valuable new source of the drug from forest waste materials.

"The work so far shows that material that at best is chipped and composted can provide an excellent source of expensive chemicals needed in today's society,� said Dr Dennis Jones of WKW.

“ If a viable market existed for more than 70 tonnes of Welsh spruce oil the gross value would be more than £10 million, not including production costs."

Bangor's researchers have also discovered essential oils, resins, flavinoids - anti-oxidants which can help fight heart disease - and sugars with probiotic properties which could be used in health products.

"Biorefinery of green materials has been proposed as a way to add value to the Welsh forest," said Graham Ormondroyd of the Biocomposites Centre. "Certainly our initial research shows that it is possible."

Twigs and needles were taken off Ffridd Mountain part of Bangor University's Henfaes Research Centre at Abergwyngregyn. Steam and organic solvents were used to extract the oils and further research identified the different naturally occurring chemicals.

“This is a classic example of how BC focuses on the science of renewable plant materials technology, turning it into a clear, commercial advantages for partners and clients.