Buffalo-weed to be Utilized as Plant Resource with Plentiful Polyphenols

Buffalo-weed is a native plant of North America, but it disturbs the growth of domestic plants and causes allergies. Local governments are trying to eliminate the plant but suffer hardship due to its high reproduction rate. (image: Yonhap)

SEOUL, July 29 (Korea Bizwire) – Buffalo-weed, which disturbs Korea’s native ecology, will be utilized as a plant resource as it contains plentiful antioxidants.

The Gyeoggi Provincial Forest Environment Institute announced that it is researching application methods to use buffalo-weed as a plant resource, as it contains abundant polyphenols.

Polyphenols, with excellent antioxidative activity removing active oxygen in the human body, can prevent skin aging, hypertension and the hardening of arteries.

According to the institute, buffalo-weed contains eight times more polyphenols than other plants, and even two times more polyphenol than blueberries, famous for their antioxidant ability. It plans to develop various antioxidant products utilizing buffalo-weed.

Buffalo-weed is a native plant of North America, but it disturbs the growth of domestic plants and causes allergies. Local governments are trying to eliminate the plant but suffer hardship due to its high reproduction rate.

By M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)