The Phytochemical Composition of Medicinal Plants: Brazilian Semi-Arid Region (Caatinga)

Abstract

Carnauba wax, the most important vegetable wax under the economic and extracted from the leaves of the carnauba (Copernicia prunifera (Miller) H. E. Moore), is extensively applied in food due to its physiochemical characteristics with a majority of esters. p-Methoxycinnamic acid diesters obtained from the ceriferous powder of carnauba wax (PCO-C) have been associated with biological actions. However, being a versatile product, many types of research have been carried out seeking to expand the possibilities of applications of this raw material. Furthermore, different experimental studies on the pharmacological activities have also been undertaken in recent years and have tested various biological activities, such as hypolipidemic, hypocholesterolemic and hypoglycemic effects in mice. Therefore, in this book chapter, it is reviewing the development of a process of extraction of 4-hydroxycinnamic acid diesters of carnauba wax powder and investigates their biological actions and physical and chemical characteristics.

Carnaubeira: Há mais de dois séculos gerando empregos / Carnauba: More than two centuries generating jobs

“…A quase totalidade dos carnaubais é nativa, e devem receber o manejo adequado para que as áreas não sejam degradadas, sendo que o manejo da exploração é de fundamental importância para a manutenção e estabilidade produtiva dos carnaubais (FERREIRA et al, 2013). Este ecossistema possui fauna e flora formadas por vasta biodiversidade de vegetação composta por espécies lenhosas, herbáceas, cactos e bromélias envolvendo cerca 932 espécies de plantas, sendo que algumas espécies só ocorrem na caatinga (PONTE et al, 2020).…”