Actinidia kolomikta (rupr. et maxim.) Plant – species with ornamental, alimentary and pharmaceutical value

Abstract

Introduction. The genus Actinidia includes about 40-60 species. During the last 2 decades, the scientific community has realized a lot of scientific researches on chemical composition of different organs, especially on species A. kolomitka. Materials and methods. The profile literature and databases on species A. kolomitca were evaluated and analized. Results. Species A. kolomitka is a very long-lived, deciduous woody scrambling vine and creeper, which ultimately grows to 8–10 m, commonly known as variegated-leaf hardy kiwi which was mentionated as native to temperate mixed forests of the Russian Far East, Korea, Japan and China (Eastern Asiatic Region). At the beginning of XX century, this species was cultivated in England and North America as ornamental plant. Later, at the middle of century, the species began to be known as edible fruit producer, and at the end of it became the object of intense scientific researches. Scientific investigations were carried out under different aspects in different scientific centers: creation of cultivars and varieties resistant to environmental factors, cultivation technologies, chemical composition, nutritional and therapeutic value. A lot of cultivars were bread and cultivated in: Poland, Finland, Russia, Lithuania and Leetonia. This species was introduced in the collection of exotic plants of Alexandru Ciubotaru National Botanical Garden (Institute) in 1998 year. The world scientific researchers shown the useful chemical compounds in different organs of plant: ascorbic acid and other organic acids, pectins, tannins, sugars, vitamins P, Q, carotene in fruits; alkaloids – roots; lactones, flavonoids, saponins – leaves; and flavonoids such catechins – cork. Conclusions. Today there are a lot of biological and chemical researches on variegated-leaf hardy kiwi. The most known chemical composition is in fruits and from aerial part of plant – leaves. The organs of species A.kolomitka can be in the Republic of Moldova the real new source of the raw materials for the biochemicals with nutritional and pharmacological value.