Oil content and composition of the essential oil of Byrsonima verbascifolia Rich. ex A. Juss., collected in different seasons and times of the day

The Cerrado is the second largest Brazilian biome in diversity and comprises over 7,000 species [1]. Several compounds may have active components with therapeutic activity, such as special metabolites particularly essential oils. Environmental and physiological factors might interfere not only with the content but also with the quality of such substances; thus, processing by the cosmetic, food, and phytotherapeutic industries may be difficult [2 – 3]. Circadian rhythm and seasonality are among the factors that may interfere with essential oil production because the nature and yield of their constituents may not be consistent throughout the year [4]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to establish the chemical composition for the essential oil in leaves from Byrsonima verbascifolia Rich. ex A. Juss. (Malpighiaceae) and assess the circadian as well as seasonal variability of its content and chemical composition. Leaves were collected during different seasons and times of day, to determine the concentration and chemical composition of volatile oils. Chemical analysis indicated that oxygenated sesquiterpenes were the most concentrated, and oxygenated monoterpenes were the least concentrated. The primary components of the essential oil were pentacosane (2.747 to 9.613%), spathulenol (3.398 to 10.552%), and benzene-1,2-dicarboxylic acid diethyl ester (3.861 to 15.307%). Seasonal and circadian variations did not influence the essential oil content. However, the essential oil's chemical composition was influenced by seasonal variation, among them the spathulenol. The highest percentage of oxygenated monoterpenes was observed in spring and summer (15.20 and 17.38%, respectively. The soil moisture remained high from spring to summer and fell below 5% in winter when rainfall is virtually absent. Fruit maturation was observed at the end of spring and during summer. The relative concentrations of oxygenated monoterpenes did not differ with the time of day for sample collection.

Keywords: Murici, seasonality, circadian variation

References:

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