Method for cultivation of monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone
AssigneePrairie Pharms, LLC
InventorWilliam Rohlfsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method for cultivating Monarda fistulosa for production of thymoquinone includes planting seeds at rates between about 2.5 and about 5 pounds per acre, preferably about 4 pounds per acre. The heavy rate of planting produces plants bearing oil without weed contamination and reduces herbicide use due to production of natural herbicides by the monarda plants. Seeding and mowing the first season, and harvesting in seasons thereafter reduce costs. The method results in increased production of essential oils including thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone at levels up to about 40% or more of recovered oils, and which may be distilled from the plant.
Claims24
A method for cultivating plants of at least one species of Monarda selected from a group consisting of the species fistulosa and dydima, to increase yield of at least one constituent of essential oil of said plants, said at least one constituent from the group consisting of thymoquinone and thymohydroquinone, said method comprising preparing a field for planting Monarda fistulosa, growing at least about 60,000 Monarda plants per acre, and harvesting plants grown in said field.
A plant comprising oil, said oil including thymoquinone, carvacrol, and thymol wherein said thymoquinone comprises at least about 30% of said oil and said carvacrol comprises at least about 20% of said oil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.