The project aims to build a mathematical model to classify medicinal plants, in order to optimally exploit the potential of medicinal resources in Vietnam through the following tasks:
(1) Build a database containing images of medicinal plant leaves in Vietnam. This database will be built based on actual images taken from Vietnamese medicinal plants, under different care and soil conditions. Diversity of images of leaves in different conditions to ensure accuracy and consistency, specificity and standards in identifying medicinal herbs by the morphology of leaves, in different cases such as clear photos of medicinal leaves (through a specialized camera), as well as in the case of using personal cameras (may not have as high resolution, may be mixed with other types of leaves because it is not possible to pick all the leaves to take to the laboratory to take photos, or is mixed with other objects…).
(2) Mathematical model of characteristics for each type of leaf, based on image analysis and blur processing (to ensure data generality: clear data, missing data information, noisy data…).
(3) Classification of medicinal plants based on a photo of the leaves of the medicinal plant at a time, as well as morphology depending on the stage of development of the medicinal plant, or physical conditions that affect the photo of leaves. All calculations are based on modern statistical and computational tools such as Fuzzy Bayesian Statistics, Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation, Deep Learning. The evaluation results are based on the stability of the algorithm to calculate the stopping sequence for use in inferences.
(4) Develop an application program (app) that is easy for everyone to use in classifying medicinal plants in Vietnam. In this app, the features of medicinal plants and the parts used in that medicinal plant are pointed out.
Impact
(1) Scientific and technological aspects
Although the idea of building a database of medicinal herbs and plants in Vietnam is not new, it has not received much attention and has not been carried out in a serious and standard manner. Similar databases today are closed databases, without contributions from users and experts, with redundant information, lack of updates, and do not ensure reliability in use for scientific research. With the goal of building an ecosystem in the digital technology age for medicinal herbs and plants in Vietnam, the project aims to build many databases with networks connected to many other databases in Vietnam and abroad.
In addition, developing a computational science platform in medicinal herb identification is a bold step in helping to find rare medicinal herbs, re-survey actual existing reserves, as well as re-identify distribution areas of medicinal herbs throughout Vietnam. Grasping this information is one of the most basic and important steps in preventing destruction and overexploitation, creating a platform for developing and preserving precious genetic resources of Vietnamese plants.
(2) Socio-economic development aspect
Bringing information about medicinal herbs closer to common users will help raise macro awareness about the importance of developing, preserving, and taking advantage of regional advantages in agricultural economic development oriented towards growing medicinal herbs.
Correct awareness of the role and value of medicinal herbs will help improve the lives of farmers, limit price pressures from foreign traders and reduce dependence on foreign purchases. Pharmaceutical companies will reduce the cost of purchasing and transporting raw materials from abroad through the use of domestic supplies, thereby, we hope will be restored under the positive market economic impact.
(3) Medical aspect
Vietnamese traditional oriental medicine is currently receiving a lot of attention from domestic and foreign experts. Many Vietnamese traditional remedies have been and are being used to produce tea, functional foods, and medicines to treat diseases. To ensure the quality of pharmaceutical products for domestic use and future expansion into international markets, establishing strict quality standards and transparent origins of raw materials is extremely important. Reality shows that Vietnam has enough natural and social foundations and conditions to develop medicinal herb areas sufficient to serve both domestic consumption and export needs. The problem of fake and poor quality medicinal materials will therefore also be controlled more strictly and towards alternative medicinal materials.
(4) Educational aspect
The project brings general users (including pupils, students, teachers, lecturers) scientific information, correct but close and practical. We are aware that changing people’s awareness of the value of Vietnamese medicinal resources will contribute to creating positive synergistic effects in preserving the country’s precious medicinal resources, especially in young people.
