Humulus Lupulus L. research development in Kaunas botanical garden of Vytautas Magnus university

Abstract

Hop cones – raw material with unique composition of active substances, so far non­synthe­ sized and irreplaceable in beer, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, parfumery and food industries. In Lithuania as well as around the world hop cones are mostly consumed in manufacture of beer – about 200 tons per year. Another 3–5 tons are consumed by pharmaceutical industry, some part of cones is bought from Lithuanian hop producers, but the vast majority of cones are imported. It is noteworthy that research which has been performed in Kaunas Botanical Garden of VMU since 1924 have long proved a great potential of growing hops in our country and having a source of high­quality cone material.