Pelargoniums are one of the most popular ornamental plants in Slovenia. For their growth they need sunny to half sunny position. Throughout the history growers have produced a great number of varieties with selection and crossing of Pelargonium plants, that is why they can be bought in many colours. We roughly divide them into five major groups. In addition to the decorative value, pelargoniums also contain many secondary metabolites which cause coloring of flowers and gives them characteristic odor of pelargonium. Secondary metabolites are divided into terpenes, phenolics and nitrogen-containing compounds. Terpenes and phenolics have been discovered so far in genus of Pelargonium, while nitrogen-containing compounds have not been reported. Among terpenes, geraniol and citronellol are most represented. The most numerous phenolics in Pelargonium are flavonoids which belong to the group of polyphenols. Isoquercetin, rutin, hyperoside and chlorogenic acid are the most abundant phenolics. Essential oils and hydrolysates derived from Pelargonium can be used in the cosmetic, agronomic, food and pharmaceutical industries. It has been proven that they posess antifungal, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic and antioxidant properties. The positive effects of pelargonium extracts have already been known in history, and they have been used to treat diarrhea, kidney disease and lowering of high body temperature.
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