Wales Christmas trees could beat killer flu

January 7, 2009

Wales Christmas trees could beat killer flu 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 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.

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