Potentially Phytotoxic of Chemical Compounds Present in Essential Oil for Invasive Plants Control: A Mini-Review

The control of invasive plants is still carried out with the use of synthetic chemical agents that may present high toxicity and, consequently, be harmful to humans and animals. In Brazil, especially in the Amazon, small producers use this kind of technique in a rustic way, with brushcutters or fire. In this sense, the search for natural agents with bioherbicide potential becomes necessary. Examples of these agents are the essential oils that over the years have been shown to be a viable alternative to weed control. Thus, this review aims to show the potentially phytotoxic activity of allelochemicals present in essential oils of different aromatic plants

Açaí (Euterpe oleracea) and Bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba) as Functional Food

This chapter reviews two oleaginous fruits that are widely consumed by people in the Amazon region: Bacaba (Oenocarpus bacaba) and Açaí (Euterpe oleracea). Besides their food and the folk medicinal uses, studies suggest that substances present in both berries have antioxidative effects, antimicrobial, and therapeutic properties such as hypocholesterolemic and neuroprotection effects. These therapeutic effects are related to phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, and fatty acids, which can prevent serious problems such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, and depression. The use of supercritical fluid technology is described as a technique to obtain the best extracts of bacaba and açaí, as well as their valuable constituents. Indubitably, this technology is a great tool for human health and all with the advantage of presenting nontoxic solvents such as carbon dioxide or water. Açaí and bacaba fruits represent not only food but also a source of compounds that can work in both prevention and treatment of diseases

Carbon Dioxide Use in High-Pressure Extraction Processes

This chapter describes the use of carbon dioxide at high pressures as an alternative for the extraction of bioactive compounds in a more sustainable way, addressing some of its physicochemical properties, such as pressure, temperature, density, solvation, selectivity, and its interaction with the solute when modified by other solvents such as ethanol and water. This extraction process is considered chemically “green,” when compared to conventional extraction processes using toxic organic solvents

Supercritical fluid extraction of murici leaves (Byrsonima crassifolia): Global yield, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and linear correlations / Extracção de fluido supercrítico de folhas de murici (Byrsonima crassifolia): Rendimento global, compostos fenólicos totais, actividade antioxidante, e correlações lineares

The objective of this study was to obtain extracts from Byrsonima crassifolia leaves by supercritical CO2 (CO2-SFE) in order to determine the experimental data, global yield isotherms, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and linear correlations. Moisture, particle diameter, apparent and true density, bed porosity, and morphological characterization of murici leaves were analyzed. CO2-SFE was conducted at 313.15 K–323.15 K, and at 10 MPa to 30 MPa. The bed parameters agreed with those used in CO2-SFE, and the particles presented irregular flat shape. The isotherms showed an inflection point, and the highest global yield was obtained at 323.15 K and 30 MPa (1.24% d.b.). The highest values of phenolic compounds (68.85 mg GAE/g d.b.) and antioxidant activity (174.35 μM trolox/g d.b.) were obtained at 313.15 K and 30 MPa, in which a strong positive linear relationship was observed between these responses

Invasive Species in the Amazon

One of the main reasons for environmental disturbances such as declination in pasture productivity and biodiversity losses is the high infestation of herbaceous weeds, generally referred to as “Juquira” in the Amazon region. If they are not adequately controlled, such infestation might lead to degradation of pasture, resulting in complete loss of productivity and subsequent abandonment of the area. In this sense, this chapter aims to describe the main invasive species present in the Amazon region, as well as to characterize both the old and innovative techniques of use in agriculture, in large and small scale, for the control of agricultural pests

Potential of Medicinal Use of Essential Oils from Aromatic Plants

The use of medicinal plants rich in essential oils can represent a viable source for the control of some diseases, being able to constitute a possible therapeutic alternative due to its effectiveness. Essential oils are natural volatile fractions extracted from aromatic plants and formed by classes of substances such as esters of fatty acids, mono and sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, aldehyde alcohols and, in some cases, aliphatic hydrocarbons, among others. Essential oils have been used by mankind for medicinal purposes for several centuries, with reports coming from Ancient Egypt. In this sense, the present work aims to approach the biological activities of essential oils such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiprotozoal, antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of different plant matrices rich in essential oils

Obtenção de extrato de alecrim (Rosmarinus officinalis) por extração supercritica : determinação do rendimento global, de parametros cineticos e de equilibrio e outras variaveis do processo

Orientadores: Maria Angela de Almeida Meirelles, Lucio Cardozo FilhoTese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de AlimentosDoutoradoDoutor em Engenharia de Alimento

Supercritical CO2 extraction to obtain Lippia thymoides Mart. & Schauer (Verbenaceae) essential oil rich in thymol and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity

Federal University of Pará. Program of Post-Graduation in Chemistry. Belém, PA, Brazil / Secretary of Education of the State of Pará. Belém, PA, Brazil.Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Botany Coordination Adolpho Ducke Laboratory. Belém, PA, Brazil.Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Botany Coordination Adolpho Ducke Laboratory. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Para. Program of Post-Graduation in Natural Resources Engineering. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Para. Program of Post-Graduation in Food Science and Technology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Para. Engenharia Industrial. Abaetetuba, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Para. Educação do Campo. Abaetetuba, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Para. Program of Post-Graduation in Natural Resources Engineering. Belém, PA, Brazil / Federal University of Para. Program of Post-Graduation in Food Science and Technology. Belém, PA, Brazil.Federal University of Pará. Program of Post-Graduation in Chemistry. Belém, PA, Brazil / Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi. Botany Coordination Adolpho Ducke Laboratory. Belém, PA, Brazil.In this paper, for the first time, the extraction of Lippia thymoides leaf essential oil (EO), by supercritical CO2, is reported. Extractions have been carried out at 40 and 50 °C, and 100, 200 and 300 bar. The mass yields from extraction, chemical composition, and antimicrobial activity were studied. The main constituent of essential oil samples was thymol (74.52 ± 11.24 %–88.56 ± 0.65 %). The highest mass yield was obtained at the 50 °C/300 bar isotherm (1.63 ± 0.01 %). The antimicrobial activity was evaluated in the oil obtained under condition of 50 °C and 200 bar, because this sample had a higher thymol percentage. Fungi C. albicans and C. tropicalis were sensitive to EO, presenting an inhibition halo of 10 and 8 mm, respectively, similar to those presented in thymol tests. EO also showed activity against S. aureus, however, was not active against E. coli