Chemical variability of essential oils of Eugenia uniflora L. genotypes and their antioxidant activity.

Beatriz H.L.N.S Maia,Cícero Deschamps,Roger R Cipriano

doi:10.1590/0001-3765202120181299

Beatriz H.L.N.S Maia, Cícero Deschamps + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202120181299

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Abstract

Eugenia uniflora, known as the "Brazilian cherry", is an economically important neotropical Myrtaceae in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries due the production of essential oils with antioxidant activity. On account of its significant genetic variability, genotype evaluations are needed in order to identify genetic features related to the essential oil production that meet the industry requirements. The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the yield, composition, and antioxidant activity of essential oils isolated from the leaves of 36 genotypes of E. uniflora. Essential oil samples were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their composition was determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. A variation of 0.22% to 1.68% in the essential oil yield was observed, in which 78 compounds, namely oxygenated sesquiterpenes, were identified. According to the cluster analysis of the major compounds, six groups were revealed. The observed diversity demonstrates the genetic variability of the species. Also, the antioxidant activity was affected by the composition of the essential oils, ranging from 176.66 to 867.57 µM TEAC.

Highlights

IntroductionThe species had been utilized in fruit production on account of its exotic flavors and aromas, as well as its high pulp yield and nutritional value
Eugenia uniflora L., popularly known as the “Brazilian cherry” or “Pitangueira”, is one of the neotropical species of the Myrtaceae family employed in the food and cosmetics industries
The plant’s essential oil, composed primarily of terpenes, is utilized by pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries because of its antioxidant activity (Victoria et al 2012), which can be used against human tumor cells, as demonstrated by Ogunwande et al (2005), while working with Leishmania amazonensis (Rodrigues et al 2013, Silva et al 2018)

Summary

Introduction

The species had been utilized in fruit production on account of its exotic flavors and aromas, as well as its high pulp yield and nutritional value. E. uniflora presents ducts and secretory cavities in its mesophyll (Amstrong et al 2012, Retamales & Scharaschkin 2015, Pacheco-Silva & Donato 2016), where oil resins and terpene compounds are synthesized (Thadeo et al 2009, Stesevic et al 2016, Bomboa et al 2017). The plant’s essential oil, composed primarily of terpenes, is utilized by pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries because of its antioxidant activity (Victoria et al 2012), which can be used against human tumor cells, as demonstrated by Ogunwande et al (2005), while working with Leishmania amazonensis (Rodrigues et al 2013, Silva et al 2018)

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