Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the influence of drying air temperature on the content of essential oil extracted from guaco. The drying tests were performed in an experimental fixed-bed dryer, which contains 4 perforated trays with upward air flow. Treatments consisted of five temperatures for the drying air (ambient air and air heated to 40, 55, 70 and 85oC), with three repetition, using 850 g of fresh guaco leaves. Guaco leaves were dried until reaching a final moisture content of approximately 10% w.b. The drying air velocity was 0.5 m s -1 . Essential oil extraction was performed by hydrodestilation, using Clevenger equipment. Results of the essential oil content showed that the drying air temperatures from 55 to 85oC did not statistically influence the essential oil content. The chromatographic profile of the essential oil presented changes as a function of the drying treatment when compared with the in natura plant (control).
Highlights
Global interest in phytopharmaceutical products has increased, even among pharmaceutical companies, and some new policies focused on herbal products are emerging, promoting the use, standardization and development of reliable analytical methods of quality control to support their safety and efficacy
The commercialization of medicinal plants and phytotherapy products is expanding around the world due to factors such as the high cost of industrialized medicines, the lack of access to chemotherapy products by a large portion of the population and the tendency of consumers to preferentially use organic products (LOW et al, 1999)
Pharmacological studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of the crude extract of the guaco, while chemical studies point to coumarins and ent-kaurenoic acid as the main constituents of this species (VIEIRA et al, 2002)
Summary
Global interest in phytopharmaceutical products has increased, even among pharmaceutical companies, and some new policies focused on herbal products are emerging, promoting the use, standardization and development of reliable analytical methods of quality control to support their safety and efficacy. Mikania glomerata Sprengel (Compositae) is popularly known in Brazil as “guaco”. It is a perennial, climbing plant with smooth wooden brown cylindrical branches and green leaves with flat margins. Flowering does not occur in all regions of Brazil but is most common in the south (LOW et al, 1999). It is used in folk medicine for the treatment of fever, rheumatism, and illnesses of the respiratory tract (VILEGAS et al, 1997). Pharmacological studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory properties of the crude extract of the guaco, while chemical studies point to coumarins and ent-kaurenoic acid as the main constituents of this species (VIEIRA et al, 2002)
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