Grass; a Component of Human Health?.

Grass has become an integral resource for nearly every culture throughout the global community more than any other member of the plant kingdom. In fact, grass is the most abundant plant on Earth.  With this being known, a critical lack of knowledge may exist where many functional uses of grass have been neglected thereby underutilizing one of Earth’s most abundant organisms for human benefit?  Research began in the summer of 2009 at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to start filling this gap in knowledge.  This research will eventually demonstrate the primary nutraceutical benefits possessed by various grasses for humans and animals alike.  Methanol extractions were conducted on 5 different turfgrass species that are native to various geographical regions throughout the globe.  The turfgrass species included ‘Cheyenne II’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], ‘Bowie’ buffalograss [Bouteloua dactyloides (Nutt.) J.T. Columbus], ‘Apple GL’ perennial ryegrass [Lolium perenne (L.)], ‘RTF’ tall fescue [Festuca arundinaceae Schreb.] and ‘4 Season’ Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis (L.)].  Turfgrass species were grown in a climate-controlled greenhouse on the University of Nerbraska-Lincoln’s East Campus in Lincoln, NE.  Studies have been conducted to determine total phenols, flavonoids and antioxidative properties present in the cited samples as well as their associated radical scavenging properties.  As an outcome to this study, preliminary information will be available on the secondary metabolites in antioxidant agents grasses that have antioxidative properties, which in turn have been linked to the prevention of multiple chronic conditions such a cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.