Valerian Family

Valerian vo- lir-e-on [ME, fr. MF or ML MF valerianey fr. MLvaeriana] n. Any of a genus (valeriana of the family valerianaceae, the valerian family) of perennial herbs many of which possess medicinal properties. Langenheim JH (2003) Plant resins chemistry, evolution ecology and ethno-botany. Timber Press, Portland, OR. 

Isovaleric acid is mainly used for perfumery production and within intensive-care medicine. Valerian is a natural source of isovaleric acid which can be extracted. Mainly, proteolytic bacteria can produce different carboxylic acids during the protein degradation. Several members of the family Clostridiae are proficient to use the Stickland fermentation, for example, Clostridium bifermentans, C. sporogenes and C. acetobutylicum (Brooks and Epps 1958). 

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