Gossypium Herbaceum L. is a plant belonging to the Malvaceae family. It is widely used in the textile industry for cotton production and in the food industry for the production of oil and vegetable proteins.

Gossypium herbaceum, commonly known as the Cotton Plant, is a species of cotton plant that is native to Africa and Asia. It is a member of the Malvaceae family and is cultivated primarily for its fiber, which is used to produce cotton textiles. Gossypium herbaceum is one of the oldest domesticated cotton species and is valued for its adaptability to arid environments.

Botanical Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Order: Malvales
• Family: Malvaceae
• Genus: Gossypium
• Species: Gossypium herbaceum

Plant Characteristics:

• Growth Form: Gossypium herbaceum is a perennial shrub or small tree that typically grows to about 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) in height. It has a bushy appearance with a dense canopy.
• Leaves: The leaves are broad, palmately lobed, and can measure up to 15 cm (6 inches) in length. They are usually green with a somewhat coarse texture and are alternately arranged on the stem.
• Flowers: The plant produces large, showy flowers with a creamy or pale yellow color, sometimes with reddish or purple markings. The flowers are funnel-shaped and have five petals.
• Fruit: The fruit is a capsule, also known as a boll, which contains the cotton fibers. The capsule splits open when mature to release the cotton fibers, which are white, soft, and fluffy.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

• Fibers: The primary commercial product from Gossypium herbaceum is the cotton fiber, which is composed mainly of cellulose. Cotton fibers are long and flexible, with a high tensile strength.
• Oil: The seeds of Gossypium herbaceum contain cottonseed oil, which is rich in fatty acids such as linoleic acid and oleic acid. The oil is used in cooking and industrial applications.
• Proteins and Carbohydrates: Cottonseed contains proteins and carbohydrates that are used in animal feed and other industrial applications.

How to Cultivate It:

• Soil: Gossypium herbaceum thrives in well-drained, sandy loam or clay soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It prefers soils with good fertility and organic matter.
• Light: The plant requires full sun to grow optimally. It needs at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Watering: Cotton plants need regular watering, especially during the growing season. However, they are drought-tolerant and can survive with less water once established.
• Propagation: Gossypium herbaceum is propagated by seeds. The seeds are sown directly into the soil after the last frost date, or started indoors and transplanted later.
• Maintenance: The plant benefits from regular weeding and pest management. It may require support to keep the plants upright as they grow. Fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer can enhance growth and fiber yield.

Uses and Benefits:

• Textiles: The primary use of Gossypium herbaceum is for producing cotton fiber, which is used in making textiles, clothing, and other fabric products. Cotton is valued for its softness, breathability, and absorbency.
• Oil: Cottonseed oil is used in cooking, as well as in the production of margarine and various processed foods. It is also used in industrial applications such as lubricants and soaps.
• Medicinal Uses: In traditional medicine, cotton seeds have been used for their potential health benefits, including as a laxative and for their supposed anti-inflammatory properties.

Applications:

• Textile Industry: Cotton fibers are extensively used in the textile industry to produce a wide range of products, including clothing, bedding, and upholstery.
• Food Industry: Cottonseed oil is used in cooking and food processing. It is a common ingredient in salad dressings, snacks, and frying oils.
• Cosmetics and Personal Care: Cottonseed oil is used in skincare products for its emollient and moisturizing properties. It is included in creams, lotions, and hair care products.

INCI Functions:

Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

CAS    223749-08-4   8001-29-4

EC number   232-280-7 

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

• Environmental Impact: Cotton cultivation can have significant environmental impacts, including water usage and pesticide application. Sustainable practices and organic farming methods can mitigate some of these effects.
• Safety: Cotton is generally safe for use in textiles and food products. However, the use of cottonseed oil should be monitored as part of a balanced diet. Cotton fibers and products are non-toxic but can cause skin irritation in some individuals.

Studies

The genus Gossypium of cotton includes 51 species worldwide, distributed in 46 diploids and 5 tetraploids (1).

• Gossypium hirsutum L. cultivated in California
• Gossypium barbadense L. cultivated in Egypt
• Gossypium arboreum L.
• Gossypium africanum (Watt)
• Gossypim australe

Anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects of seed of Gossypium herbaceum L and its aqueous and ethanol extracts were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Normal, Alloxan-induced diabetic and treated groups of rabbit were examined for their serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, creatinine and urea levels.  Histopathological examination showed the protective effect of GH, against Alloxan-induced destruction of β-cells of pancreas in diabetic rabbits. Data indicated that Gossypium herbaceum and its aqueous and ethanol extracts have promising anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects. Gossypium herbaceum and its aqueous and ethanol extractscould be effective tool against the development, progression and complication of Diabetes mellitus (2).

Gossypium herbaceum studies

References___________________________________________

(1) Wu Y, Chen D, Zhu S, Zhang L, Li L. A New Sythetic Hybrid (A1D5) between Gossypium herbaceum and G. raimondii and Its Morphological, Cytogenetic, Molecular Characterization.  PLoS One. 2017 Feb 10;12(2):e0169833. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169833.

Abstract, The diploid species G. herbaceum (A1) and G. raimondii (D5) are the progenitors of allotetraploid cotton, respectively. However, hybrids between G. herbaceum and G. raimondii haven't been reported. In the present study, hybridization between G. herbaceum and G. raimondii was explored. Morphological, cytogenetic and molecular analyses were used to assess the hybridity. The interspecific hybrid plants were successfully obtained. Most of the morphological characteristics of the hybrids were intermediate between G. herbaceum and G. raimondii. However, the color of glands, anther cases, pollen and corolla, and the state of bracteoles in hybrids were associated with the G. herbaceum. The color of staminal columns and filaments in hybrids were associated with G. raimondii. Cytogenetic analysis confirmed abnormal meiotic behavior existed in hybrids. The hybrids couldn't produce boll-set. Simple sequence repeat results found that besides the fragments inherited from the two parents, some novel bands were amplified in hybrids, indicating that potential mutations and chromosomal recombination occurred between parental genomes during hybridization. These results may provide some novel insights in speciation, genome interaction, and evolution of the tetraploid cotton species.

(2) Uzzaman R, Ghaffar M.  Anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects of extract from the seed of Gossypium herbaceum L. in Alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Pak J Pharm Sci. 2017 Jan;30(1):75-86.

Abstract. Anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects of seed of Gossypium herbaceum L (GH) and its aqueous and ethanol extracts were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Normal, Alloxan-induced diabetic and treated groups of rabbit were examined for their serum glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, creatinine and urea levels. Water/food intake and toxic effect of test substances were also observed in treated rabbits. Effect of test agents on architecture of pancreatic β-cells was evaluated histopathologically in rabbits. GH powder, its aqueous (GHA) and ethanol (GHE) extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced normoglycemia, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and urea in a dose dependent order (200→300 mg/kg of body weight) in normal rabbits. GH and GHE ameliorated completely the Alloxan effect on serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine and urea in Alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. GHA and Glimepiride (a reference drug) partially blocked such effect of the Alloxan in treated rabbits. Further GH, GHA and GHE did not cause any change in food/water intakes and on liver, spleen, kidney, lung and heart in treated rabbits. Phytochemical study of GH and its extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Histopathological examination showed the protective effect of GH, GHA and GHE against Alloxan-induced destruction of β-cells of pancreas in diabetic rabbits. Data indicated that GH and its aqueous and ethanol extracts have promising anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic effects. GH and GHE could be effective tool against the development, progression and complication of Diabetes mellitus.