Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Croton conduplicatus (Euphorbiaceae) in Two Different Seasons

Abstract:

Croton conduplicatus is a species popularly known in the Brazilian Caatinga (semi-arid vegetation) as “quebra faca”. Essential oils from the fresh leaves were obtained by hydrodistillation in two different seasons (dry and rainy seasons) after 2, 3 and 4 hours of extraction. Analyses were made by GC-MS. The main compounds found in the oil of leaves collected in the dry season were 1,8-cineole, p-cymene, spathulenol and caryophyllene oxide. For the essential oil collected in rainy season the major constituents identified were 1,8-cineole, α-phellandrene, bicyclogermacrene, (E)-caryophyllene and spathulenol. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) scavengers methods, as well as the method of co-oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid. A significant inhibitory effect of essential oils on ABTS free radicals was detected. C. conduplicatus is a natural source of antioxidants. The essential oils from the leaves contain constituents with antioxidative properties and could serve as inhibitors or scavengers of free radicals.

Key words::

• Croton conduplicatus
• essential oil
• volatile constituents
• antioxidant activity