Essential Oils - RIRDC Completed Projects in 2001-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 20023

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RIRDC Completed Projects in 2002-2003 & Research in Progress as at June 2003
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To Essential Oils Completed Projects

2.4 Essential Oils - Research in Progress
PROJECT No	PROJECT TITLE	RESEARCHER	PHONE	ORGANISATION

Development and Improvement of Products

MRA-1A	Efficient sourcing and fractionation of sesquiterpenoid alcohols from Australian sandalwood	Ms. Valerie Gearon	(08) 9841 7788	Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd
UT-34A	Preliminary evaluation of some medicinal herbs	Dr. Rowland Laurence	(03) 6430 4901	University of Tasmania
UT-35A	Development of a celery oil and extract industry in Tasmania	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723	University of Tasmania
UCS-31A	Improvement of lavender varieties by manipulation of chromosome number	Dr. Nigel Urwin	(02) 6933 2450	Charles Sturt University
UCS-30A	Bioactivity of lavandula essential oils, hydrosols and plant extracts	Dr. Heather Cavanagh	(02) 6933 2501	Charles Sturt University
DAQ-304A	Growing milkweed, a plant with prospective anti-cancer properties	Dr. Craig Davis	(07) 3406 8611	Dept of Primary industries (Qld)

Improved Production Systems

DAV-190A	Implementing IPM in Australian peppermint crops	Mr. Fred Bienvenu	(03) 5731 1222	Dept of Natural Resources & Environment (Vic)
UT-33A	Commercial Borage Production for Oil and Gamma-linolenic Acid	Dr. Rowland Laurence	(03) 6430 4901	University of Tasmania
UT-37A	Increased yields from Tasmanian peppermint crops through improved micronutrient nutrition	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723	University of Tasmania
UT-38A	Rejuvenation of peppermint crops through establishment of quality nursery stock	Prof. Robert Menary	(03) 6226 2723	University of Tasmania

Regulatory Approvals

UT-36A

Determination of pesticide minimum residue limits in essential oils

Prof. Robert Menary

(03) 6226 2723

University of Tasmania

Industry Development

PSE-2A	Production of a newsletter of the Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia	Dr. Erich Lassak	(02) 9875 1894	Phytochemical Services
QUT-6A	Developing a herbal medicine primary industry	Dr. Phillip Cheras	(07) 3840 6111	Queensland University of Technology

Project Title	Efficient sourcing and fractionation of sesquiterpenoid alcohols from Australian sandalwood
RIRDC Project No:	MRA-1A
Start Date:	01/07/00
Finish Date:	31/07/03
Researcher:	Ms. Valerie Gearon
Organisation:	Mt Romance Australia Pty Ltd Lot 2, Down Road Miranmbeena Park ALBANY WA 6330
Phone:	(08) 9841 7788
Fax:	(08) 9841 7100
Email:	lab@mtromance.com.au
Objectives	· The primary objective is the development of methods of the efficient separation of individual sesquiterpenoid alchohols (or enriched concentrates) from the fragrant wood oil of Western Australia sandalwood. Santalum spicatum (R.Br) A. DC. The pure alcohols or their enriched concentrates will be used in the formulation of value added products such as pharmaceuticals (anti-inflammatory and bacterial agents) cosmetics/toiletries and fine perfumes. · A secondary, but nonetheless indispensible, objective for the ultimate commercial success of this project is the identification of all parameters influencing the wood oil composition and oil yield.
Current Progress	As a result of strict adherence to total quality management principles and the development of efficient extraction processes, Mt Romance (MRA) is now a leading world player in sandalwood oil distillation and supply. MRA is supplying Australian sandalwood oil to many countries, including India, the traditional purveyors of sandalwood oil. Internationally renowned Fine Fragrance Houses are using Australian sandalwood oil in perfume composition. Global interest in the unique character of Australian sandalwood oil has led to the publication of a paper entitled Western Australian Sandalwood Oil – New Constituents of Santalum spicatum in the Journal of Essential Oil Research. The research and authorship of this paper is the research and development division of the German Flavour and Fragrance Producers Dragoco. Formulation research using Australian sandalwood oil and other botanical products from the Australian bush (many of which have never been used in perfumery before) is currently underway. The fixative properties of the sesquiterpene alcohols of sandalwood oil are exploited to maximise odour quality and yield, with the result that truly unique Indigenous fragrances can be manufactured. Distillation processes employed ensure maximum extraction of sesquiterpenoid alcohols is achieved. Much research has been undertaken to identify parameters which lead to the greatest recovery of volatile oil of high olfactory quality, Standard Operating Procedures for all aspects of sandalwood oil production, from receipt of raw material to despatch of oil are documented and utilised.

Project Title	Preliminary evaluation of some medicinal herbs
RIRDC Project No:	UT-34A
Start Date:	01/01/01
Finish Date:	31/12/03
Researcher:	Dr. Rowland Laurence
Organisation:	University of Tasmania GPO Box 447 BURNIE TAS 7320
Phone:	(03) 6430 4901
Fax:	(03) 6430 4950
Email:	rowland.laurence@utas.edu.au
Objectives	· To pursue the development and commercialisation of one or more of the plants investigated. Decisions on development will be based upon the data obtained from the project, including additional market information and other investment criteria. · The study will deliver comparative data to the stakeholders on the growth and marketable yield of species/genotypes sourced from different parts of the world. It will provide market information on prices and demand for the four herb plants under investigation, additional to that back-grounded in the Keane Report and in the current research proposal. · Production agronomy aspects will be supported by initial laboratory assessments of extraction procedures. These data will be adequate to allow decisions by the company on further investments in these medicinal herb crops with regard to their suitability for production in the cool, temperate regions of Australia. · Activities will include the field demonstration to growers, progressively of the crops and of the results obtained.
Current Progress	Work has continued on the propagation and field establishment of the four species: astragalus, bilberry, feverfew and stevia. Most astragalus plants, originally transferred to field plots from pots eighteen months ago, survived winter conditions and regrew strongly in 2002-03, although survival was associated with the level of exposure. These plants reached a height of 1.5 metres, flowered and set seed freely. Root samples have been taken for extract and assay and laboratory methods are being investigated. In addition, an area of about one-tenth of a hectare was directly sown into a commercial paddock in 2002 and, although plant stand was low, in part due to seed condition after inoculation, this area has also grown well and flowered in the current season. Samples have also been collected for analysis. A third, smaller area of astragalus was also sown in a commercial paddock in December 2002. In summary, the species has grown well to date and analyses to be carried out will assist our assessment of the extract’s marketability. Additional lines of feverfew have been acquired and seedlings planted out in replicated plots. These plots have grown strongly, flowered and samples of extract have been taken by the industry stakeholder for analysis. It is hoped that levels of extract in these will be higher that those found in the material sown originally, which were less than required by the market at that time. Seedlings of bilberry continue to grow slowly and spasmodically. However, about 1,000 seedlings have now been produced and preparations are underway to transfer these to two sites – the first on a local research station and the second on the land of a commercial collaborator at Waratah on Tasmania’s West Coast, which, we believe, will provide beneficial, cold and wet conditions for the species. In addition, a Graduate Diploma student will soon begin a series of experiments aimed at improving our ability to propagate the plant material via both tissue culture and softwood cuttings. Rowland Laurence and Tim Groom, Botanical Resources Australia, met with Professor Midmore and associates on stevia development in January 2003 and have exchanged seed and tissue samples with the latter. Stevia planted into the field in North-West Tasmania in February 2002 grew well until the onset of winter, whereupon most vegetative top growth died back to ground level. The presence of sclerotinia and other diseases after this time contributed to only a minority of the plants regenerating in the spring of 2002. While more of these plants have succumbed to disease, the remainder have grown and flowered and some seed has been collected. A program of propagation by stem cuttings has now provided sufficient material to plant out about 0.2 hectares in the next few weeks and a similarly-sized, second site will be established in September 2003. The above indicates that, while establishment of some of the species under investigation has been slow, prospects of gaining sufficient data to meet the objectives of this initial project are good. This will require a full season’s work in 2003-04 and agreement has been reached with RIRDC to extend the completion date to 30 June 2004.

Project Title	Development of a celery oil and extract industry in Tasmania
RIRDC Project No:	UT-35A
Start Date:	01/08/01
Finish Date:	31/07/04
Researcher:	Prof. Robert Menary
Organisation:	University of Tasmania School of Agricultural Science GPO Box 252-54 HOBART TAS 7001
Phone:	(03) 6226 2723
Fax:	(03) 6226 7609
Email:	r.menary@utas.edu.au
Objectives	· The inclusion of celery (Apium graveolens L.) oil and extract products in the essential oils industry within Tasmania will increase the diversity of crops available to growers and provide a buffer against price fluctuations in local and international markets. Any refinement of current extraction processes, as a result of the development of the new products has the potential to benefit the entire industry.
Current Progress	Six varieties of celery were tested in a field trial to determine the yield and composition of oil and extract from herb, seed and roots. Material was harvested from the trial every fortnight from December to May in order to track changes in the oil. Processing and analysis of this material is not yet complete but the preliminary results indicate that there are substantial varietal differences in the organoleptic properties of the oils brought about by small differences in chemical composition. Once complete, the chemical analyses will be compared to ISO standards for celery oils and extracts and those with commercial potential will be distributed to the industry for market assessment. Pooling of the oil composition data with organoleptic and market assessments will allow recommendation of appropriate varieties for local production. Organoleptic assessment of the herb oil was used to select two of these varieties for commercial scale field testing in the coming season. Laboratory scale experiments are being used to identify the most appropriate distillation and extraction protocols for each of the plant tissue types. The results so far show that the more valuable oil components (i.e. those which impart the "fresh celery" characteristic to the oil) are produced late in the distillation process. As is typical of many distilled crops, a commercially appropriate balance must be found between the cost of extending the duration of distillation and the higher returns from producing premium quality oil.

Project Title	Improvement of lavender varieties by manipulation of chromosome number
RIRDC Project No.:	UCS-31A
Start Date:	1-Aug-02
Finish Date:	1-Aug-05
Researcher:	Dr. Nigel Urwin
Organisation:	Charles Sturt University School of Agriculture Locked Bag 588 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678
Phone:	(02) 6933 2450
Fax:	(02) 2933 2812
Email:	nurwin@csu.edu.au
Objectives	· This project aims to breed improved cultivars of Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) and Lavandula x intermedia (lavadin) both of which are grown commercially for their essential oil, dried and cut flowers. Plant tissue culture techniques and the use of mitotic spindle inhibitors will be used to induce polyploidy. The quality of oils produced by all lavender cultivars resulting from and used as starting material for the project will be tested by a perfumer. · The specific outcomes of the proposed research are as follows: · Tetraploid and/or octoploid L. angustifolia and L. x intermedia cultivars, with improved oil yield and vigor. · Double haploid L. angustifolia and fertile L. x intermedia cultivars, which can be propagated by seed. · A new species of lavender (fertile L. x intermedia) for future breeding.
Current Progress	1. Generation of polyploid L. angustifolia and L x intermedia cultivars. Callus and shoot cultures of L. angustifolia cultivars Bee and Swampy and L x intermedia cultivars Grosso and Seal have been established. These are being bulked for induction of polyploidy in vitro. In greenhouse experiments, shoot cuttings of all four of the above cultivars have been treated with colchicine via transpiration. Survivors have rooted and will be grown to flowering. 2. Generation of polyploid L. angustifolia from seed. Chromosome estimates in root tip squashes stained with aceto-orcein indicate L angustifolia cultivars Vera, Egerton Blue, Bee and Swampy all have 50 chromosomes. One cultivar of L. latifolia and L x intermedia cultivars Grosso and Seal (interspecific hybrids of the above) also appear to have 50 chromosomes. Sterility in the hybrids is therefore likely a consequence of inability of chromosomes to pair during meiosis. Conditions for optimal germination of seed and treatment of seedlings with colchicine to induce polyploidy are being established. Pilot experiments have already resulted in putative polyploids which are patent pending. 3. Generation of double haploid L. angustifolia. Preliminary experiments to culture whole anthers at various developmental stages have so far not produced any haploids. A wider range of media and conditions is being assessed for culture of whole anthers and microspores.

Project Title	Bioactivity of Lavandula essential oils, hydrosols and plant extracts
RIRDC Project No.:	UCS-30A
Start Date:	6-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Aug-03
Researcher:	Dr. Heather Cavanagh
Organisation:	Charles Sturt University School of Biomedical Sciences Locked Bag 588 WAGGA WAGGA NSW 2678
Phone:	(02) 6933 2501
Fax:	(02) 6933 2587
Email:	hcavanagh@csu.edu.au
Objectives	· This project addresses the key issues of Lavandula plant extract bioactivity, efficacy and safety and will provide novel marketing and export opportunities for these products and support their development as viable alternative primary crops. This project aims to identify products which have potential medical/veterinary/agricultural applications and identify new commercial applications for these plant products.
Current Progress	The disc-diffusion screening is now complete for 8 oils and hydrosols against all bacteria except Legionella pneumophila. Initial results show variability between oils especially against medically important organisms such as MRSA. No activity has been detected in the hydrosols. Preliminary data also suggests that some oil combinations display a low level of antibacterial synergistic activity, however, this result has yet to be repeated and validated. Broth dilution assays are underway. For practical reasons antifungal testing has been initiated prior to analysis of plant extracts. Initial results suggest that the volatiles of several oils have fungistatic properties against a range of medically and agriculturally important fungi. It has also been noted that, in some instances, the volatiles from the oils inhibit fungal spore formation. This continues to be investigated in addition to the effect of oil contact on fungal growth. Collection of essential oils and hydrosols is complete with the exception of L. stoechas and L. latifolia. Distillation of these two species is expected to occur within the next two weeks. The first presentation of results obtained to date will occur at the 3^rd National Herbs, Native Foods and Essential Oils Convention, 14-16^th August 2003, in Lismore.

Project Title	Growing milkweed, a plant with prospective anti-cancer properties
RIRDC Project No.:	DAQ-304A
Start Date:	12-Jan-02
Finish Date:	31-Jul-04
Researcher:	Dr. Craig Davis
Organisation:	Department of Primary Industries (Qld) Centre for Food Technology 19 Hercules Street HAMILTON QLD 4007
Phone:	(07) 3406 8611
Fax:	(07) 3406 8677
Email:	davisck@dpi.qld.gov.au
Objectives	· The project will explore the potential for the commercial propagation, growth and harvesting of milkweed. This production on a commercial scale will tap under-utilised land and labour resources by providing agronomic systems leading to the extraction, purification and production of high quality active pharmaceutical ingredients which will be used to provide effective control of the most expensive cancers to treat (common skin cancers) both in the Australian market and in other International markets.
Current Progress	Routine analytical testing methods for PEP-5 have been established (Thin Layer Chromatography and High Performance Liquid Chromatography) and the cultivation methods for Euphorbia peplus have been compared. Two methods for commercial E. peplus production were examined - the use of seedlings and the natural method of seed dispersal. Some work was also conducted on harvesting and disease control. Work is continuing to meet the overall project objectives and assist the industry partner (Peplin P/L) to develop this innovative product for the world market.

Project Title	Implementing IPM in Australian Peppermint crops
RIRDC Project No:	DAV-190A
Start Date:	1/09/01
Finish Date:	31/08/04
Researcher:	Mr. Fred Bienvenu
Organisation:	Department of Natural Resources & Environment NRE Ovens PO Box 235 MYRTLEFORD VIC 3737
Phone:	(03) 5731 1222
Fax:	(03) 5731 1223
Email:	fred.bienvenu@dpi.vic.gov.au
Objectives	· Identification and integration of chemical and sustainable bio-control practices that will maximise yield of high quality peppermint oil. · Development of data required to support registration (minor or full) of predator "friendly" pesticides. · Establishment of an industry reference group to facilitate and implement the use of a practical IPM program.
Current Progress	Work on this project in the year 2002/2003 has been severely curtailed due to the effects of the bushfires that ravaged our geographic region in January, February and March. The major data collection and control operations of this project are normally conducted during January and February. The commercial peppermint crop was harvested in February with the effects of long term smoke cover being manifested in terms of reduced yield and quality of oil. Some preliminary survey work was completed prior to this period but no releases of beneficial biological control agents could be made. These early surveys suggested that there were populations of two-spotted mite (TSM) and some predators (over-wintering from previous year) in the peppermint field in December 2002. Unfortunately it was not possible to monitor/trace the TSM population increases over the final and crucial growing period of the crop. No miticide efficacy work was undertaken during the same period for the same reasons. It is anticipated that the proposed study for the past year will be repeated this coming year.

Project Title	Commercial Borage Production for Oil and Gamma-linolenic Acid
RIRDC Project No:	UT-33A
Start Date:	01/09/00
Finish Date:	31/08/03
Researcher:	Dr. Rowland Laurence
Organisation:	University of Tasmania GPO Box 447 BURNIE TAS 7320
Phone:	(03) 6430 4901
Fax:	(03) 6430 4950
Email:	rowland.laurence@utas.edu.au
Objectives	· The research proposed here will seek to improve agronomy and harvesting of borage in order that the yields and profitability in this new Australian industry will allow grower and processor stakeholders to maximise their competitive advantage in an expanding world market. · The key deliverable of the proposed work will be the provision to grower stakeholders of recommendations for the commercial production of borage in Tasmania/South East Australia. These will be synthesized from the verification and adaption of available overseas information through local field experimentation. The latter will concentrate on those husbandry practices, which are likely to be the major deterimants of yield and profitability.
Current Progress	2002-03 has brought the final season of this current project. Work in previous years has resulted in a good understanding of the agronomic requirements of the crop and work in 2002-03 has attempted to grow a commercial area of borage as part of a collaborating farmer’s seasonal operations. With sufficient borage seed available from previous field experiments to sow about one hectare, an agreement was made with a grower member of the project stakeholder group, the Natural plant Extracts Cooperative. This agreement was also extended by seeking the involvement of a potential buyer for the product, being the commercial stakeholder in additional research being carried out on borage by the Chief Investigator. This work attempts to select improved genetic material for Tasmanian conditions. About one hectare of borage was thus sown at Cressy, in the northern Midlands of Tasmania in September 2002, after an attempt to produce a weed-free seed-bed by cultivation. Weed germination, however, was only partially suppressed and this, together with a restricted irrigation regime, led to the poor establishment and early growth of the borage crop. This drier area of Tasmania (in comparison to the North-West Coast) allowed windrowing and harvesting of the crop to occur reasonably readily. While much of the crop area returned little borage seed, plot (10sq m) yields from better representative sections yielded between 80 and 260 kg/ha. Discussions between the above two industry stakeholders have recently resulted in the prospect of an expanded sowing of seed gained from the above area (sufficient to sow about five hectares). A local press is available for expression of this crop if agreement is reached to go ahead. Information gained in the current project would again be provided and, with more grower experience of the crop’s requirements, it is believed the exercise would result in strong data on which the parties would be able to judge the crop’s commercial prospects. While the genetic selection project is currently ongoing with private stakeholder support only, funding support from RIRDC or HAL may be discussed with these corporations to complete the selection/multiplication of improved lines.

Project Title	Increased yields from Tasmanian peppermint crops through improved micronutrient nutrition
RIRDC Project No.:	UT-37A
Start Date:	18-May-2003
Finish Date:	30-Sep-2004
Researcher:	Prof. Robert Menary
Organisation:	University of Tasmania
Phone:	(03) 6226 2723
Fax:	(03) 6226 7609
Email:	r.menary@utas.edu.au
Objectives	Determine current micronutrient status of commercial fields and undertake diagnosis and provide recommendations for remedial action. Strategies to establish the micronutrient level will be as follows: · Survey commercial fields, collect samples and analyse soil and plants · Use established critical levels for similar, related crops to determine extent of deficiency · Collect analytical data and recommend corrective action and or field trials. Analytical results will provide a data set for diagnosis of micronutrient disorders in peppermint. A set of grower-friendly, colour photographs for easy diagnosis of micro-nutrient deficiencies will be produced.
Current Progress	A soil analysis survey was undertaken in the main production area and this revealed that there were deficiencies of copper, molybdenum, boron and zinc in some fields. These will be checked against plant analyses for the same areas in the forthcoming growing season. The likelihood of these deficiencies occurring is not inconsistent with some of the plant systems that have been observed in the past.

Project Title	Rejuvenation of peppermint crops through establishment of quality nursery stock
RIRDC Project No.:	UT-38A
Start Date:	18-May-2003
Finish Date:	31-Jul-2006
Researcher:	Prof. Robert Menary
Organisation:	University of Tasmania
Phone:	(03) 6226 2723
Fax:	(03) 6226 7609
Email:	r.menary@utas.edu.au
Objectives	The objective of the project is to establish a source of productive, clean peppermint material and the best method of propagation to achieve high yields. The project will deliver both an established nursery of clean, high yielding peppermint stock and a report to the industry on the best method for future production of such a nursery.
Current Progress	Stolons of 200 peppermint plants have been randomly selected from five sites within the Derwent Valley production area. The morphology of each of these mother plants was recorded by digital photography. These mother plants are currently held in pots but will be transferred to a field holding area in spring. Tip cuttings propagated from these mother plants are being prepared for a glasshouse trial to determine the level of genetic variability between the original mother plants.

Project Title	Determination of pesticide minimum residue limits in essential oils
RIRDC Project No:	UT-36A
Start Date:	01/10/01
Finish Date:	31/07/03
Researcher:	Prof. Robert Menary
Organisation:	University of Tasmania School of Agricultural Science GPO Box 252-54 HOBART TAS 7001
Phone:	(03) 6226 2723
Fax:	(03) 6226 7609
Email:	r.menary@utas.edu.au
Objectives	· To establish adequate withholding periods after pesticide application to ensure sufficient dissipation of the active ingredients from essential oil crops · To assess the efficiency of disposable SPE cartridges in the clean-up of essential oil. · To develop analytical techniques using ECD and NPD · To produce an updated manual detailing more streamlined methodologies for pesticide residue analyses in essential oils.
Current Progress	· The dissipation rates of, terbacil (Sinbar) and mancozeb (Dithane) in peppermint were established in field trials. LC MS/MS was used to monitor for terbacil whilst mancozeb was extracted with dilute EDTA solutions followed by quantitation of manganese using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrophotometer (ICP OES). 14% of mancozeb remained on the surface of peppermint leaves 14 days after an application of Dithane but was undetectable after 30 days. Only 5% of terbacil remained after 14 days. · Anion exchange discs have been used to interface aqueous extracts of oil containing chelated mancozeb with organic based derivatising agents. The discs were also used to isolate halogenated acidic pesticides. Detection was undertaken using GC ECD. A tenfold increase in analyte concentration from distilled oils and boronia concretes has been achieved with silica based SPE. Work to improve and finalise the method is continuing. This is likely to impact on analytical methods developed to date, further lowering the limits of detection. · The response and sensitivity of NPD to nitrogen and phosphorous containing pesticides is still undergoing assessment with results to be finalised in early June. These are to be included, along with the new methods involving LC MS/MS and ICP OES in the final updated manual. · Monitoring for pesticide residues of oils from has been conducted for all major harvests. Residues of Tilt continue to be detected in boronia oil and low levels of prometryn persist in most parsley oils.

Project Title	Production of a newsletter of the Essential Oil Producers Association of Australia
RIRDC Project No:	PSE-2A
Start Date:	01/07/01
Finish Date:	30/06/03
Researcher:	Dr. Erich Lassak
Organisation:	Phytochemical Services 254 Quarter Sessions Road WESTLEIGH NSW 2120
Phone:	(02) 9875 1894
Fax:	(02) 9875 1791
Objectives	· To bring together growers, producers, traders, researchers and users of essential oils and of certain plant related natural products by the dissemination of information, which will stimulate the growth and development of Australian industries based on these products. · It is proposed to produce three issues of the newsletter over two years.
Current Progress	A computer disc with the contents of Newsletter no.8 has been sent to RIRDC at the end of January 2003. The printed Newsletter was distributed to members of EOPAA in April. Work has begun on the collection of information for Newsletter no.9. The following items have been obtained so far: · Regulatory matters: Tea Tree Oil Directive EC 98/8/ES; NICNAS: Low Regulatory Concern Chemicals Review. · Company news: Name and structure changes of several Australian essential oil companies. · Standards Australia: Proposed changes to the ISO Standard for Tea Tree Oil, terpinene-4-ol type. · Information on forthcoming essential oil meetings and conferences. · Notes on published articles dealing with essential oils which could be of interest to members of EOPAA and to the development of our essential oil industry.

Project Title	Developing a herbal medicine primary industry
RIRDC Project No.:	QUT-6A
Start Date:	01-May-2003
Finish Date:	30-Nov-2003
Researcher:	Dr. Phillip Cheras
Organisation:	Queensland University of Technology
Phone:	(07) 3840 6111
Fax:	(07) 3840 6119
Email:	p.cheras@uq.edu.au
Objectives	To develop and implement a strategy to advance medicinal herb production and processing and capitalise on commercial opportunities to advance the complimentary medicine industry as a significant export sector in a structured and systematic manner by 2007. Feasibility Study Objective: To conduct a feasibility study on the potential of growth and development of medicinal herb production and processing with regard to triple bottom-line accounting by July 31 2004. Include in the feasibility study: · the scope and potential of the industry · the level of grower and industry interest · the level of Government support and development options available · the market leading herbs that have the potential to achieve concept realisation · core stakeholders and industry structure options · research priorities and timeframe · triple bottom-line analysis
Current Progress	The purpose of this study is to contribute to development of the herbal medicine industry in Australia. This sector has been identified as offering considerable potential for future growth and increasing Australia’s global presence. Australia has a high use of complimentary medicines and this is consistent with a global trend of increasing use in developed countries. This study will focus on a number of aspects in determining the feasibility and future development of the industry in Australia. Included in the report will be the identification of herbs and indigenous plants which have the potential of establishing an international market niche. It will determine the options for, and preference of, stakeholders in industry for developing an industry structure and strategy and will analyse financial, environmental and social outcomes. One of the main purposes of the feasibility study will be to determine if a vertically integrated Australian industry is viable and to make recommendations on how the development of the industry should proceed. Part of the engagement process being used in this project has been the conduct of industry based workshops to identify the critical issues the industry is facing and to determine preferences for developing a structure and strategy for carrying the industry forward. It is planned to hold a general forum of stakeholders to ratify a corporate entity and a development strategy. This forum is planned for the end of September or early October.