Unlocking the potential of Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum L., Apiaceae): a neglected species with future crop prospect

The increasing interest in new renewable resources for industrial products leads farmers and growers to identify under-explored or overlooked species as potential new crops. Indeed, plant biodiversity research has contributed to highlight the potential interest of some species for industrial exploitation. This is the case of Alexanders (Smyrnium olusatrum L., Apiaceae), an ancient pot-herb cultivated at the time of Romans, and now almost completely dumped. It is considered an invasive species in several areas. Alexanders is a promising new crop due to its ecological adaptability, vigorous growth, and reproductive performance, along with the content of valuable essential oil (EO), fixed oil, and bioactive furanosesquiterpenes. In this framework herein we present an overview of the potential of this forgotten plant as source of substances exploitable at industrial level for pharmaceutical, agrochemical, and oleochemical applications, with special reference to the development of green insecticides and acaricides.