Dry and wet seasons set the phytochemical profile of theCopaifera langsdorffiiDesf. essential oils

Chemical composition variation of essential oils of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. from different vegetational formations

This study aims to provide information about the chemical profile of the essential oil from C. langsdorffii resin in areas of Cerradão, Carrasco, and Humid Forest. In order to obtain the essential oils, oil-resin was submitted to hydrodistillation process, and the chemical components were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Twenty-six constituents were identified in the essential oil of C. langsdorffii resin, of which 12 were present in Cerradão, 15 in Carrasco and 18 in Humid Forest, with β-bisabolene, caryophyllene oxide, γ-muurolene, α-caryophyllene and β-caryophyllene common to the three phytophysiognomies. Among the studied areas, the resin collection varied from 2.652 g to 20.263 g, while the essential oil yield varied from 2.216 % to 11.764 %. A concentration range of 0.60 % to 84.57 % was recorded among the compounds in the three study areas. There was variation in chemical composition both among phytophysiognomies and among individuals from the same location, where β-caryophyllene showed to be the majority for all areas studied, being present in all individuals from Cerradão, Carrasco and Humid Forest.

Formation of Highly Oxidized Organic Compounds and Secondary Organic Aerosol from α-Thujene Ozonolysis

We conducted laboratory chamber experiments to probe the gas- and particle-phase composition of oxidized organics and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formed from α-thujene ozonolysis under different chemical regimes. The formation of low-volatility compounds was observed using chemical ionization mass spectrometry with nitrate (NO3-) and iodide (I-) reagent ions. The contribution of measured low-volatility compounds to particle growth was predicted using a simple condensational growth model and found to underpredict the measured growth rates in our chamber (on the order of several nm min-1). The yields of low-volatility compounds and SOA mass were similar to those of other monoterpene ozonolysis systems. While semivolatile compounds C10H14-16O3-7 were measured most abundantly with I- reagent ion, a large fraction of products measured with NO3- were C5-7 fragments with predicted intermediate volatility. Additionally, particle composition was measured with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry and compared to particle composition from α-pinene ozonolysis. Structural isomers were identified from tandem mass spectrometry analysis of two abundant product ions (C8H13O5-, C19H27O7-). Our results indicate that although this system efficiently generates low-volatility organics and SOA under the conditions studied, fragmentation pathways that produce more highly volatile products effectively compete with these processes.

Intraspecific C-value variation and the outcomes in Psidium cattleyanum Sabine essential oil

Polyploidy, a numerical alteration of the karyotype, is one of the most important mechanisms in plant speciation and diversification, but could also be detected among populations, the cytotypes. For example, Psidium cattleyanum, a polyploid complex, has chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=3x=33 to 2n=12x=132. Polyploidization causes an increase in DNA content, and both modifications may cause alteration in plant growth, physiology, and epigenetics. Based on this possibility, here we aim to verify the influence of the polyploidization on the production of P. cattleyanum essential oil chemotypes. Differences in the DNA contents, as a proxy to different ploidies, were observed and three distinct chemotypes were identified through the chromatographic profile analysis. The Psidium cattleyanum DNA content and qualitative and quantitative characteristics of the essential oils presented a positive relationship. Plants with higher DNA contents presented higher levels of oil production, which was mostly composed of hydrogenated sesquiterpenes, while plants with lower DNA contents produced lower amount of oil, which was mostly composed of hydrogenated monoterpenes. Based on the importance of essential oils, polyploid plants, which present higher DNA content, are recommended as possible matrices for the propagation of new plants with the potential to produce major compounds of agronomic and pharmacological interest.

Distribution Patterns of Essential Oil Terpenes in Native and Invasive Solidago Species and Their Comparative Assessment

The importance of invasive Solidago L. species to the environment creates a new approach to controlling their spread through the use of potentially high value raw materials. The aim of this study was to assess the distribution patterns of volatile compounds in the four Solidago spp., by identifying common and species-specific compounds with their potentials, and to confirm the origin of the spontaneous hybrid Solidago × niederederi on the basis of comparative assessment of essential oil (EO) profiles. Plant material in the flowering phase was collected in mixed populations from six different sites. The EOs were isolated separately from the leaf and the inflorescence samples by hydrodistillation for 3 h. The chemical analysis was performed by gas chromatography—mass spectrometry. Multivariate data analysis was employed to explain the interspecies relationships among Solidago spp. The results revealed the similarity among Solidago spp. EO profiles, which were dominated by monoterpenes and oxygenated compound fractions. Solidago spp. differed in species distinctive terpenes and their distribution between accessions and plant parts. Volatile compound patterns confirmed the origin of Solidago × niederederi between Solidago canadensis and Solidago virgaurea, with the higher contribution of alien species than native ones. Correct taxonomic identification of species is highly essential for the targeted collection of raw material from the wild for different applications. Solidago spp. can be considered to be underutilized sources of bioactive secondary metabolites.

Anatomical and ultrastructural studies reveal temporal and spatial variation in the oil production in leaves of the diesel tree (Copaifera langsdorffii, Leguminosae)

The oily resin produced by Copaifera langsdorffii, commonly called oil of copaiba, is widely exploited by the drug, cosmetic, and biodiesel industries. The distribution of oily secretory cavities and canals (secretory spaces) over the vegetative body characterizes this species. Oil is stored inside the lumen of the secretory spaces and only reaches the organ surface after injuries. Nonetheless, translucent oily deposits occur on the adaxial surface of intact young leaves. In this study, we searched for further sources of oil production in C. langsdorffii leaves in addition to the well-known secretory cavities and investigated the mechanisms of secretion. Leaves in different developmental stages were collected from adult plants and processed for studies on light and transmission electron microscopies. The primary finding of this study was the involvement of the chlorenchyma cells in lipid biosynthesis, in addition to the secretory cavities. The secretory activity of cavities and chlorenchyma cells overlapped in young leaves. Ultrastructurally, secretory cavity cells exhibited abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum profiles and oleoplasts, whereas the chlorenchyma cells had large chloroplasts with oil inclusions. Our data suggest that the oily material on the leaf surface arose from the chlorenchyma and was transported via the apoplast. These findings open new avenues for understanding oil biosynthesis regulation in mesophyll cells and planning of future strategies for the biotechnological application of C. langsdorffii leaves.

Copaifera of the Neotropics: A Review of the Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

The oleoresin of Copaifera trees has been widely used as a traditional medicine in Neotropical regions for thousands of years and remains a popular treatment for a variety of ailments. The copaiba resins are generally composed of a volatile oil made up largely of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, such as β-caryophyllene, α-copaene, β-elemene, α-humulene, and germacrene D. In addition, the oleoresin is also made up of several biologically active diterpene acids, including copalic acid, kaurenoic acid, alepterolic acid, and polyalthic acid. This review presents a summary of the ecology and distribution of Copaifera species, the traditional uses, the biological activities, and the phytochemistry of copaiba oleoresins. In addition, several biomolecular targets relevant to the bioactivities have been implicated by molecular docking methods.

Non-Oxygenated Sesquiterpenes in the Essential Oil of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. Increase during the Day in the Dry Season

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of seasonal and diurnal events on the chemical profile of the essential oil obtained from the leaves of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. This study was performed in a Brazilian savanna named Cerrado. We identified the best harvesting period for obtaining the highest amount of compounds used for commercial and industrial purposes. The chemical profile of the essential oils was evaluated by GC-FID and GC-MS, and the results were assessed through multivariate analyses. The data showed that the time of day and seasonal variations affect the quality of the essential oil obtained. Leaves harvested at the end of the day (5:00 pm) in the dry season resulted in richer essential oils with higher amounts of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes. To the best of our knowledge, environmental conditions induce metabolic responses in the leaves of C. langsdorffii, which changes the patterns of sesquiterpene production. Therefore, these factors need to be considered to obtain better concentrations of bioactive compounds for pharmacological studies.