title: NoSQL data model for semi-automatic integration of ethnomedicinal plant data from multiple sources.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sharing traditional knowledge with the scientific community could refine scientific approaches to phytochemical investigation and conservation of ethnomedicinal plants. As such, integration of traditional knowledge with scientific data using a single platform for sharing is greatly needed. However, ethnomedicinal data are available in heterogeneous formats, which depend on cultural aspects, survey methodology and focus of the study. Phytochemical and bioassay data are also available from many open sources in various standards and customised formats.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To design a flexible data model that could integrate both primary and curated ethnomedicinal plant data from multiple sources.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current model is based on MongoDB, one of the Not only Structured Query Language (NoSQL) databases. Although it does not contain schema, modifications were made so that the model could incorporate both standard and customised ethnomedicinal plant data format from different sources.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The model presented can integrate both primary and secondary data related to ethnomedicinal plants. Accommodation of disparate data was accomplished by a feature of this database that supported a different set of fields for each document. It also allowed storage of similar data having different properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The model presented is scalable to a highly complex level with continuing maturation of the database, and is applicable for storing, retrieving and sharing ethnomedicinal plant data. It can also serve as a flexible alternative to a relational and normalised database.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Ghanapriya Women's College, Imphal, Manipur, India.
authors.forename: Sanjoy Singh
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ningthoujam
authors.forename: Manabendra Dutta
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Choudhury
authors.forename: Kumar Singh
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Potsangbam
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chetia
authors.forename: Lutfun
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nahar
authors.forename: Satyajit D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sarker
authors.forename: Norazah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Basar
authors.forename: Anupam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Das Talukdar
mesh_terms: D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003628:Database Management Systems; D016208:Databases, Factual; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D016490:Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D015233:Models, Statistical; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
keywords: MongoDB; NoSQL databases; ethnomedicinal plants