Chemical Diversity and Redox Values Change as a Function of Temporal Variations of the Essential Oil of a Tropical Forest Shrub

Abstract

This study investigated the chemical phenotypical variability of Piper lhotzkyanum Kunth (Piperaceae), a shrub found in Brazilian tropical forests, over time (different periods of the day and seasons) and under natural conditions. For this, essential oils (EOs) from the leaves were collected in different seasons and times of the day and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and gas chromatography coupled with a flame ionization detector. The indices were applied to evaluate the chemical diversity as well as the dynamics of redox of the mixtures. The results showed that the EOs were dominated by non-oxygenated sesquiterpenes, with β-elemene, E-caryophyllene, and α-zingiberene being the main compounds identified in all collections. Temporal and seasonal analyses revealed important fluctuations in the chemical composition, redox, and chemical diversity indices of the species. A correlation between climatic factors and the variation in redox and chemical diversity was observed, highlighting the chemical phenotypic plasticity P. lhotzkyanum. This study resolves a previously unanswered question by confirming that natural light does not produce interconversion of major compounds. The adaptation capacity of this species to the environmental changes suggests new cultivation strategies to maximize the quality of EO and promote a more sustainable future in partnership with nature.

Tesouros Inexplorados Da Indústria Vitivinícola: Desvendando O Potencial Dos Subprodutos Na Economia Circular

“…Misturas complexas, como os óleos essenciais, desempenham essa função com eficiência. Aprofundando-se, a variabilidade dos constituintes voláteis nos óleos essenciais ilustra uma complexa rede de funções ecológicas, desde a atração de polinizadores até a repelência de herbívoros (PARMAR et al, 1997;MOREIRA et al, 2010;MOREIRA et al, 2016;RAMOS et al, 2020a;MACHADO et al, 2021;BRITO-MACHADO et al, 2022;FELISBERTO et al, 2022;COSTA-OLIVEIRA et al, 2023;RAMOS et al, 2023). Por exemplo, em estudos sobre Piper mollicomum Kunth, da Floresta da Tijuca, um fragmento de Mata Atlântica vital para a cidade do Rio de Janeiro, identificaram-se monoterpenos como linalol e limoneno nas inflorescências, substâncias conhecidas por atrair abelhas e repelir herbívoros (ZHU; PARK, 2005;MEENA et al, 2017;BRITO-MACHADO et al, 2022;LING et al, 2020).…”