The Hidden Potential: Lantana camara for Value-Added Products
摘要
This chapter explores the dual nature of Lantana camara, a problematic invasive weed, as an opportunity to utilize value-added products. As we highlighted, Lantana camara poses a significant ecological threat; however, we documented its application in the natural dye and pulp and paper industries. Phytochemical analysis supported that Lantana camara is rich in flavonoids, which results in many types of eco-friendly and sustainable textile dyes. Its fibrous stems represent a potential non-wood-based raw material that would be suitable for pulp in many different grades of paper. Overall, these various applications for Lantana camara provide many benefits, including a sustainable alternative for raw materials, infrastructure for local rural economies, etc. Further research is needed to address the inconsistencies in color or dyeing as well as efficiency in pulping. Overall, the use of Lantana camara in either of these industries (dyes or pulp) allows land managers the opportunity to sustainably manage an invasive species while finding some potential economic use.