Chemical composition of essential oils from the vegetative and reproductive structures of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf.

Abstract

GC/FID and GC–MS analysis revealed germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, α-cadinol and cubenol as major compounds from aril. Germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene, trans-caryophyllene and δ-elemene are major compounds in fruits. Germacrene D, spathulenol, trans-caryophyllene and caryophyllene oxide are major compounds in leaves. Furthermore, multivariate analysis revealed distinct groups between the composition of essential oils from aril and fruit, when compared with terpene production found in leaves. Lipid composition found in arils could be protected by the presence of non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes, as germacrene D and bicyclogermacrene. Chemical profiles of essential oils from the fruits, arils and leaves of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. revealed different compositions, which could be related to environmental pressures. Thereby, non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes can also work against herbivory, pathogens and predator's attack, emphasising the importance of further studies among terpenes, ecology interactions and plant physiology.

Keywords::

• arils
• terpenes
• volatile compounds

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) n°. 2010/15585-6.