Realizing the Potential of the Natural Products Industry in Western

North Carolina A collaborative project funded by

Why WNC?

Biodiversity Mild climate Culture of active, healthy

lifestyles Licensed alternative

healthcare providers Agricultural and business

support Natural products

business cluster ◦ Gaia Herbs ◦ King Bio ◦ Golden Needle

Acupuncture Supply ◦ Sanesco ◦ Ancient Sun ◦ Genova Diagnostics

Photo: Nathan Johnson, Gaia Herbs

Project goals

Natural Products business development ◦ Train workforce ◦ Guide new clients through production ◦ Create jobs

Raw materials development ◦ Train farmers, wildharvesters, extension agents ◦ Develop analytical methods for botanical material

evaluation & marketing Regional brand

Online marketplace

Natural Products Project Partners

WNC Naturally workshops

◦ Sustainable harvesting ◦ Voucher specimen

preparation ◦ Market opportunities ◦ Connect to wholesale

buyers ◦ Dietary supplements

cGMP ◦ “Train the trainer”

event for extension agents and teachers

Photos: Alison Dressler, NCSU

Analytical methods for locally native or cultivated plants

Caffeine in Yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria) Alkaloids berberine & hydrastine in

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) Triterpene glycosides in black cohosh

(Actaea racemosa) Flavonoids in passionflower (Passiflora

incarnata)

Photo: “Plants to People,” http://www.advantagegreen.org/clusters/natural-products/

Analytical methods for Chinese herbs with local potential

Saponins in Chai hu (Bupleurum

chinensis) Isoflavones in kudzu (Pueraria lobata) Lignans in Wu wei zi (Schisandra) Ligustilide in Dong quai (Angelica

sinensis) Flavones in Huang qin (Scutellaria

baicalensis)

Angelica sinensis

• Dong quai root • Ingredient in many TCM

formulations • z-Ligustilide & ferulic

acid are quality control markers

• Single HPLC-UV method to quantify both compounds in a methanolic extract

Photos: luckyvitamin.com

Medicinal herb comparison

Chinese Ju hua WNC Chrysanthemum

Natural Products Project Year 2

Waiting for Golden

Leaf update on funding status

Implement analytical methods for brand users

Developing USP2021 microbiological capabilities: ◦ Total microbial count ◦ Total yeast & mold ◦ E.coli & Salmonella

(qualitative)