| Maria-Virginia TANASĂ (ACREȚEI)1, Ticuţa NEGREANU-PÎRJOL2,6*, Laura Adriana BUCUR3, Verginica SCHRODER4, Bogdan-Ștefan NEGREANU-PÎRJOL5, Natalia ROȘOIU6
Abstract: The study presents a systematic pharmacognostic evaluation of Taraxacum officinale L. to establish standardized parameters for identity, purity, and quality of herbal products, in accordance with the European Pharmacopoeia. Macroscopic and biometric analyses identified the species by its robust, rugose taproot, runcinate-pinnatifid leaf rosette, and solitary ligulate inflorescence. The reflexed orientation of the outer involucral bracts was confirmed as a primary diagnostic marker. Organoleptic assessments revealed a characteristic bitterness, indicative of sesquiterpene lactones, and a secondary sweetness in the roots corresponding to inulin content. Microscopic examination of pulverized samples, facilitated by chloral hydrate clarification, elucidated critical histological markers. Key diagnostic features included branched, anastomosing laticiferous vessels, reticulate xylem, and irregular inulin crystals. The strategic absence of starch granules served as a definitive marker of purity, distinguishing it from common adulterants. Observations of anomocytic stomata, sinuous epidermal walls, echinate pollen grains (30–40 µm), and pappus fragments confirmed a “whole plant” (in toto) preparation. The integration of these macroscopic and microscopic parameters provides a definitive reference standard for the botanical authentication of T. officinale L. These findings ensure the high degree of botanical purity required for subsequent phytochemical profiling and therapeutic applications. Keywords: Taraxacum officinale L., Phytochemical profile, Inulin, Laticiferous vessels, Anomocytic stomata, Pappus DOI 10.56082/annalsarscibio.2026.1.34 Read full article
1PhD student, ISD Doctoral School of Applied Sciences, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Biology Section, Constanta, Romania (e-mail: tmariavirginia@yahoo.com). 2 Prof., PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Constanta, Romania, corresponding member of the Romanian Academy of Scientists, Bucharest Romania (e-mail: ticuta.negreanu@univ-ovidius.ro). 3 Prof., PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Constanta, Romania, Doctoral School of Pharmacy, ISD “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Constanta, Romania (e-mail: laurabucur@univ-ovidius.ro). 4 Assoc. Prof., PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Constanta, Romania, (e-mail: verginica.schroder@univ-ovidius.ro). 5 Assoc. Prof., PhD, Faculty of Pharmacy, “Ovidius” University of Constanta, Constanta, Romania, (e-mail: bogdan.negreanu@univ-ovidius.ro). 6 Professor Emeritus PhD Faculty of Medicine, PhD Supervisor – ISD Doctoral School Applied Sciences, “Ovidius” University of Constanța, Full member of the Academy of Romanian Scientists and President of the Biological Sciences Section (e-mail: natalia_rosoiu@yahoo.com).
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PUBLISHED in Annals Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Biology,
ISSN ONLINE85 – 4177
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