Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
HYDRILLA VERTICILLATA
(L.F.) ROYLE
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Hydrocharitales
Family: Hydrocharitaceae
Common name: Hydrilla, water thyme
Distribution: Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Australia,
New Zealand
Habitat: Freshwater systems
Description: This submerged macrophyte is a polymorphic and monoecious or
dioecious species and has many horizontal aboveground stems (stolons) and
underground stems (rhizomes). The leaves (20 × 4 mm) occur in whorls of
four to eight. The female lowers (50 × 8 mm) have three whitish sepals and
three translucent petals.
Compounds and activities: The compounds isolated from the ethanol and meth-
anol extracts of this species are loliolide, thymidine, and sulfur gamma,
which possess antibacterial and antioxidative properties (Pal et al.,
2004).
Its otteliones A and B exhibit potent antitumor activity (Araki et al.,
2003).
This species is also a potential source of calcium and vitamin B12 and is
rich in lysine, minerals, other vitamins, chlorophyll, proteins, and essen-
tial fatty acids. Hence, it has been reported to support immune systems of
humans besides taking care of weight loss, healthy skin, and strong bones.
