Variability of the Chemical Composition of the Essential Oil from the Amazonian Ishpingo Species (Ocotea quixos)

Abstract

Ocotea quixos (Lam.) Kosterm. is an aromatic tree native to Ecuador, whose leaves are used to prepare aromatic beverages to which different health benefits are attributed. In this study, Ocotea quixos leaves were collected in the Amazon region in different environmental conditions and subjected to hydrodistillation to isolate the essential oil. The collection variables used were type of soil, amount of shade, and height; in addition, the presence of twig and leaf age and moisture were used as variables. Chemical composition was analyzed by means of gas chromatography equipped with a flame ionization detector and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A wide variety of chemical compositions were detected in the samples. In total, forty-seven compounds were identified, which represented between 97.17% and 99.89% of the total composition. The constituents were mainly grouped into aliphatic sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (33.03–55.89%), other compounds (8.94–47.83%), and oxygenated monoterpenes (1.97–39.66%). The main constituents were found to be (E)-cinnamyl acetate (5.96–41.65%), (E)-methyl cinnamate (0.38–37.91%), and trans-caryophyllene (8.77–37.02%). The statistical analysis suggested the existence of two essential oil chemotypes and a direct correlation between environmental conditions and chemical composition of the essential oils.

Chemical and Enantioselective Analysis of the Essential Oils from Different Morphological Structures of Ocotea quixos (Lam.) Kosterm

“…The chemical analysis of the three essential oils substantially confirms the analytical results present in literature for the volatile fractions of O. quixos [22][23][24][25]. Furthermore, an enantioselective evaluation of the terpene components was carried out here for the first time.…”

“…For what concerns the previous studies about O. quixos EOs, some important articles must be cited. On one hand, the chemical composition of volatile fractions, distilled from cupules, leaves and bark, were separately described [22][23][24][25]. For cupules, Bruni et al 's study shows that the principal components detected were (E)-cinnamaldehyde, methylcinnamate and 1-8-cineol [22].…”

“…For cupules, Bruni et al 's study shows that the principal components detected were (E)-cinnamaldehyde, methylcinnamate and 1-8-cineol [22]. Sacchetti et al found that the main components on O. quixos leaves were (E)-β-caryophyllene, (E)-cinnamyl acetate, sabinene, geranial and (E)cinnamaldehyde [23]; whereas Valarezo et al showed that the major components in leaves' samples were (E)-cinnamyl acetate, (E)-methyl cinnamate and (E)-β-caryophyllene [24]. Finally, bark EO was studied by Noriega et al, showing that the main components were (E)-cinnamaldehyde, (E)-o-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, (E)-cinnamyl acetate and (E)-methyl cinnamate [25].…”

Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Ecuadorian Medicinal Plants: An Update and Perspectives

“…As regards the biological activities of the EOs, the activity of Renealmia thyrsoidea EO against Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [102], as well as the antifungal activity of Lepechinia radula [63], Ocimum campechianum [65], Piper ecuadorense [88], and Piper pubinervulum [90] EOs against Candida and Trichophyton strains, which are common causes of severe forms of candidiasis and dermatophytosis, are of great interest. Moreover, it is important to underline the strong acaricidal activity of a mixture of Bursera graveolens and Schinus molle EOs [44], the repellent effects of Dacryodes peruviana EO against mosquitoes [45], and the anti-termite properties of Ocotea quixos EO [70].…”

“…The main constituents were (E)-cinnamyl acetate (5.96-41.65%), (E)-methyl cinnamate (0.38-37.91%), and (E)-caryophyllene (8.77-37.02%). Statistical analysis suggested the existence of two EO chemotypes and a direct correlation between the environmental conditions and the chemical composition of the oils [70].…”