The aim of this study was to perform from the morpho-anatomical study, physicochemical characterization, chemical composition, seasonal variability and larvicidal activity of the volatile oils of Campomanesia pubescens (DC.) O. Berg leaves. The botanical material was collected in Hidrolândia, Goiás. Morpho-anatomical characterization and phytochemical screening were performed by conventional methods. Leaf powders were submitted to hydrodistillation in the Clevenger apparatus and the identification of the chemical components of the volatile oils obtained was done by GC-MS. The larvicidal activity was carried out with third-stage larvae of the Aedes aegypti. The leaf blade, the main vein, and the young stem have a uni-stratified epidermis covered by a cuticle. The mesophyll and cortical parenchyma of the main vein and young stem have secretory cavities and idioblasts with crystals. The main rib contains a bicolateral bundle in an open arch. The young stem has a discontinuous band of sclerenchyma external to the phloem cells. Most volatile oil compounds are spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, α-macrocarpene, and z-caryophylleneIn phytochemical analysis, tannins, digitalis, flavonoids, and total phenols were detected. The content of volatile compounds was 7.36%, that of total ash was 1.77%, and that of mucilage was 3.52 ml. The volatile oil at the concentration used was inactive against Ae aegypti larvae. The present study contributes to the taxonomic knowledge of the species and provides parameters for quality control of the plant raw material. This work represents the first description of the chemical compounds and seasonal variability of volatile oils from C. pubescens leaves collected in Goiás state.

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Piper species are producers of essential oils with high yield and promising chemical composition for both perfumery and the pharmaceutical industry. They present bioactivity against pathogens and against insect pests, whether agricultural or medical, such as Aedes aegypti, for example, a vector of arboviruses with a high incidence in tropical and subtropical regions. In this study, an investigation was carried out to elucidate the chemical composition of essential oils from the leaves and inflorescences of Piper aduncum collected in the state of Goiás, Brazil. Evaluating the interference of the drying process on yield, chemical composition and larvicide potential against Ae. aegypti. Leaves and inflorescences of P. aduncum were collected in the rural area of the municipality of Iporá-GO. Fresh and dried samples were processed separately and subjected to hydrodistillation for two hours. The oil obtained was qualitatively evaluated by gas-coupled chromatography and mass spectrometry. Greater yield was observed in samples submitted to the drying process. Oils obtained from fresh samples had a higher percentage of monoterpene hydrocarbons. Variation was observed between the major components of samples of fresh leaves and inflorescences, with eupatoriochrome being the major component in dried samples. Larvicidal activity against Ae. aegypti was considered promising (LC50<100µg/mL) in all samples. The results obtained showed a chemical composition different from that generally presented by P. aduncum. This reinforces the idea of intraspecific variability of essential oils and the need for chemical evaluation between samples even if they belong to the same species.

Eugenia punicifolia (Kunth) D.C., Myrtaceae, known as “pedra-ume-caá”, is popularly used in the treatment of inflammation, infections, fever, flu, diabetes, and diarrhea. This study aimed to carry out a comparative study of the chemical composition of volatile oil from E. punicifolia leaves collected in Goiás and Minas Gerais, as well as to evaluate the larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti L3 larvae, the antimicrobial activity against bacteria, pathogenic fungi, and environmental, and cytotoxic activity to Balb 3T3 cells (murine fibroblasts). Volatile oils were obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by Gas Chromatography Coupled to Mass Spectrometry (CG/MS). A total of 60 compounds were identified, the main components found in the leaves of Goiás being Germacrene D, bicyclogermacrene and β-longipenene and in the leaves collected in Minas Gerais they were (Z)-caryophyllene, γ-cadinene, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide, and α-cadinol. The larvicidal effect was moderate against Ae. aegypti, with LC50 of 85.53 µg / mL for samples from Goiás and LC50 of 91.52 µg / mL for samples from Minas Gerais. Both oils showed moderate bactericidal activity against K. rhiziphyla (ATCC 9341), M. luteus (ATCC 10240), and S. aureus (ATCC 29737). The oils from Goiás (IC50 706.7 µg / mL) and Minas Gerais (IC50 160.7 µg / mL) had a lower cytotoxic concentration than the toxic action for larvae and bacteria, evidencing a safety profile and an interesting therapeutic potential, mainly concerning to volatile oil from Goiás. Therefore, the volatile oils from E. punicifolia leaves collected in Goiás and Minas Gerais that presented moderate larvicidal activity for Ae. aegypti also presented a bactericide activity and less cytotoxicity against murine fibroblasts. This is the first study of the larvicidal, antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity of volatile oils from E. punicifolia leaves.

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A comercialização de produtos naturais é uma prática cultural importante pois, através desta prática o uso de plantas medicinais é amplamente difundido. O uso de plantas com finalidade terapêutica requer a aquisição de matérias primas corretamente identificadas e preparadas com critérios de qualidade para que possam ser utilizados com segurança pela população. Problemas comuns associados ao consumo das matérias primas de origem vegetal estão associados a falta de controle de qualidade e presença de adulterantes. Considerando a importância do comércio de drogas vegetais para a população e os riscos que matérias inadequadas para o uso podem trazer riscos à saúde humana, o presente estudo se propôs investigar a qualidade de matérias primas de Curcuma longa (açafrão-da-terra) e Coffea sp. (café), bem como a identificação e presença de adulterantes em amostras comercializados nos centros de abastecimento de Goiânia-Goiás. As amostras foram obtidas comercialmente de modo aleatório em feiras e centros de abastecimento. Foram obtidas 20 amostras de C. longa e 14 de Coffea sp. Na avaliação dos parâmetros de qualidade, as matérias primas estavam adequadas quanto a umidade e teor de voláteis, bem como na presença de cinzas. Entretanto, a pesquisa de material estranho revelou que mais de 50% das amostras apresentavam materiais estranhos utilizados como adulterantes, geralmente para aumentar o peso do material. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, verificou-se falhas no processo de comercialização de café e açafrão da terra, visto que foram identificadas matérias estranhas nas amostras colhidas de ambas espécies, de forma a demonstrar que a ausência de fiscalização pode ser prejudicial aos consumidores física e economicamente.

Mulberry (Morus spp.) is an evergreen tree belonging to the Moraceae family. The genus Morus has numerous described species, including Morus nigra, an important plant in agriculture and traditional cultures. The objective of this study was to conduct a scientometric research on the species M. nigra. Bibliographic data was been obtained from the Web of Science database considering two times periods. These analyzes showed that research involving M. nigra is concentrated in the areas of nutrition, pharmacology and agronomy science. Eastern countries and Brazil are the largest producers of knowledge about M. nigra. The research has shown different interests in recent decades, showing that the scientific knowledge produced about the species is associated with the objective for which the plant was used throughout history. There is a trend in the growth of publications focused on the potential antioxidant of M. nigra products. The articles had a greater impact factor in the past, however, a significant growth trend in research with M. nigra in the last three years, also suggested by the increase in the number of publications in the period. Understanding the publication standards assist in directing future research as well as in understanding the current panorama of research associated with the species.