Variability in the Chemical Composition of Eugenia biflora Essential Oils from the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Eugenia species are well known for their great economic potential as edible fruits. The leaves of 4 Eugenia biflora specimens (Ebi-1 to Ebi-4) were sampled in the Caratateua Island, Pará state, Brazilian Amazon. Then, the essential oils were hydrodistilled, analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC mass spectroscopy, and their volatile compositions submitted to multivariate analysis (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). Ebi-1 and Ebi-2 specimens were classified in the caryophyllene group, with significant content for the sesquiterpenes ( E)-caryophyllene (16.8% and 11.4%) and caryophyllene oxide (28.6% and 20.5%). Ebi-3 specimen was grouped into the cadinane group, characterized by the presence of α-cadinol (14.7%), an oxygenated sesquiterpene. EBI-4 specimen was inserted into the aromadendrane group, with the predominance of the sesquiterpenes globulol (9.8%), germacrene B (7.9%), and γ-elemene (3.1%). Based on the results, a remarkable chemical variability was observed in the oils of Eugenia biflora with occurrence in Pará state, North Brazil. This work is presenting for the first time its caryophyllene, cadinane, and aromadendrane profiles.