THE CURRENT STAGE OF BIOTECHNOLOGICAL APPROACHES AND SYSTEMATIC REMARKS ON SOME SPONTANEOUS MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ROMANIA - REVIEW OF LITERATURE

This review presents the current state of biotechnological approaches for some spontaneous medicinal plants in Romania based on literature published throughout the worlds during the last decade. From a total of 122 species that were listed in 2014 as strictly forbidden for collection, 47 species were selected for a biotechnological investigation (based on both in vitro and biochemical studies). For 13 species without such studies, some systematic remarks are presented. In addition to the medicinal aspects, some of these species have other scientific importance (endemics, relicts, etc.) or present other problems such as uncertain taxonomy, very restricted distribution area, low seed germination, etc. In Romania, in the last 5 years, the interest in the biotechnological characteristics of these species has increased. Because medicinal plants represent a valuable source of products, studies on genetic variability, micropropagation, induction and characterisation of desirable metabolites will be helpful to achieve a better management for their sustainable use and conservation.