Priorities Determination of Using Bioresources. Case Study of Heracleum sosnowskyi

Abstract

Multicriteria analysis methodology used in the paper allows to evaluate the use of potential bioresources with high added value by prioritizing products from invasive species. The method is applied for the hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, which occupies large areas in Latvia and poses great problems in using agricultural land. It is combated purposefully, generating significant amount of biomass waste. The results of TOPSIS multicriteria analysis used with 14 indicators, show that hogweed can be used for production of different pharmaceutical, food, soil fertilizer and chemical materials with a high added value. Pharmaceutical products have the highest potential for production of polysaccharides that can be used in food and pharmaceutical industries.