This discovery will allow the selection of the most profitable grains for cultivation and industrial use in sectors such as agri-food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Anise (Pimpinella anisum), also known as matalahúva, is a plant whose seeds are used as a condiment and in beverage production, while its essential oil has digestive, expectorant, and aromatic properties.
Despite its value, anise is a minor crop in Spain, with no registered commercial varieties, which hinders quality standardization and limits its development. To address this, scientists collected an international germplasm collection and planted it for two years at the IAS experimental farm in Córdoba and a small organic farm in Valladolid.
“"If we reach the level of registering varieties, we can offer them to farmers for diversification, as a crop alternative to wheat and sunflower. We have verified that it adapts well, has potential, and there is a market."
The trial evaluated both seed yield and oil quality and composition, highlighting five varieties that combine both factors, crucial for commercial exploitation. The results of this study have direct application in the agricultural sector, offering a crop alternative for farmers.
The study, published in the journal Agronomy under the title Characterization of Pimpinella anisum Germplasm: Diversity Available for Agronomic Performance and Essential Oil Content and Composition, evaluated 50 anise genotypes from different countries, including Egypt, Palestine, Greece, and Bulgaria. The research showed that most of these materials adapt to cultivation in Spain, albeit with diverse behaviors.
Detailed analysis of the essential oil identified trans-anethole as the main component, responsible for anise's sweet aroma, and detected other minor compounds that influence its medicinal and aromatic properties. These genetic variations open the door to selecting varieties not only for their yield but also for their chemical composition, depending on industry demands.
The next step is to initiate the process to register these varieties in the Commercial Varieties Register, which would allow their certification and commercialization. The ultimate goal is to transfer these varieties to seed companies or agricultural cooperatives to boost local anise and anise oil production, reducing reliance on imports.
