Research Article Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism Clin Nutr Metab, 2018 doi: 10.15761/CNM.1000111 Volume 1(2): 1-3 ISSN: 2631-441X Properties and usage of Liquidambar orientalis Ayten Gizem Özbek and Seda Ersus Bilek* Food Engineering Department, Ege University, Turkey Abstract Liquidambar orientalis, as an endemic species, has been serving many crucial benefts to human. Especially medicine and cosmetic industry have been taking advantage of this advantageous tree. However, lack of knowledge and researches about this plant causes us to miss a valuable molecules and composition for health and nutritional products. Terefore, in this article, our aim is to give a brief information about Liquidambar orientalis and its usage. *Correspondence to: Seda Ersus Bilek, Food Engineering Department, Ege University, Turkey, E-mail: seda.ersus@ege.edu.tr Key words: Liquidambar orientalis, plant phenolics, novel food ingredient Received: October 22, 2018; Accepted: November 12, 2018; Published: November 19, 2018 Introduction Phenolic compounds Antioxidants are described as the compounds that can create a defense mechanism against free radicals, though their concentrations are low [1]. Antioxidants have the ability to capture reactive oxygen species (ROS) [2]. Antioxidants are found in plant materials and supplies from plant materials [3] and most of the antioxidant resources rely on plant phenolics [4]. Plant phenolics are synthesized during normal growth of plants as secondary metabolites [5]. Phenolics have antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic and antimicrobial efects through their chemical structure [6]. Tis feature opens a wide range of usage area to the plants with high phenolic compound levels. Tere are a lot of researches that a diet with rich antioxidant content may provide various of chronic diseases [7]. Oxidative damage of DNA, proteins and lipids can trigger cardiovascular diseases, cancer and many other problems [8]. Terefore, it is considered that dietary antioxidants may provide protection against oxidative diseases [9]. Phenolic extraction A various number of plant species has been used for ages with a great number of purposes. In a wide range of plant parts as leaves, fowers, heartwood and balsam that shows high phenolic content were used for phenolic extraction through the years. Te diversity of total phenolic compound studies obtains a huge variety of plant species: Dandelion (Taraxacum ofcinale), English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), Mexican orageno (Poliomintha longifora), society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea) [3], berries [10], quince (Cydonia vulgaris) [11], carrot (Daucus carota L.) [12]. One of this precious plant is Liquidamdar orientalis (L. orientalis), in another name, Anatolian Sweet Gum tree. L. orientalis trees can be mostly distributed in the United States of America, Turkey and China. Features of liquidambar orientalis Distrubition of Liquidamdar species Phenolic-rich plant L. orientalis is usually known as Sığla, günlük or amber ağacı (amber tree) in Turkey and it belongs to order of Hamamelidales, family Hamamelidaceae. Name of L. orientalis comes from Latin and Arabic origin. It is a compose of liquidius (in Latin) and amber (in Arabic) which refers to “odoriferous liquid” [13]. Length of L. orientalis trees can be classifed as medium to tall. Te tallest Liquidambar tree was recorded in Sütçüler, Turkey, with 35 m. L. orientalis is monoecious [14]. Fruit does not always leave the tree. It can stay for one year from its production [15]. Liquidambar species are distributed only in North America, Southern West part of Turkey and East Asia [16]. Te endemic L. oritantalis species are only found in the southern west of Turkey, in Marmaris, Köyceğiz, Çine, Bucak and Antalya [17]. L. orientalis and philogenetically close other species Liquidambar styracifua (North America) and Liquidambar formosana (East China and Formosa Island) which have enormous economic and ecologic impact [18]. Only four Liquidambar species could survive and show distribution today worldwide: Liquidambar orientalis L. (L. orientalis), Liquidambar formosana (L. formosana), Liquidambar styracifua L. (L. styracifua), and Liquidambar acalycina (L. acalycina) [19]. Origin and history of Liquidamdar orientalis Ancestors of Liquidambar species has been identifed by paleonthology and distribution of this species on earlier geological times (including Cretaceous, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene) were in North America and Euroasia. Afer a Glacial period, distribution showed similar properties with today [14]. Patients with other pituitary hormone defciency were treated accordingly with hormone replacement to attain normal hormone levels before starting rGH. L. orientalis has always been there for human health. Tis plant has been used for the treatment of skin diseases like fungi, scabies; gastric problems; asthma and bronchitis. Local people have understood the importance of this tree dating back to the sixth and seventh centuries.