Chemical variability of Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. from environmentally contrasting populations.

Copaifera langsdorffii Desf. is recognised as one of most famous medicinal and economic species of Copaiba, occurring in several distinct biomes. An untargeted metabolomic approach was used to evaluate the chemical variability of C. langsdorffii from contrasting climates biomes (Atlantic Rainflorest and the semiarid Cerrado). Metabolomic analysis enabled the identification of 11 compounds, including glycosylated flavonoids and galloylquinic acid derivatives. Multivariate analysis highlighted that Cerrado population had a significantly higher concentrations of galloylquinic acid derivatives in comparison to the rainforest biome. Meanwhile, Atlantic Rainforest populations presented higher content of flavonols. Semiarid biome, reduced the concentration of flavonoids, mainly concerning quercetin and kaempferol derivatives, however, in this biome flavonoids were more diverse. Both chemical classes presented relevance to be used as geographical origin chemical markers by qualitative and quantitative features.

Amazonian Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart.) Fruit Waste Valorisation Using Response Surface Methodology.

Bacuri (Platonia insignis Mart) is a species from the Clusiaceae genus. Its fruit pulp is commonly used in South America in several food products, such as beverages, ice cream and candies. Only the pulp of the fruit is used, and the peels and seeds are considered waste from these industries. As a trioxygenated xanthone source, this species is of high interest for bioproduct development. This work evaluated the mesocarp and epicarp of bacuri fruits through different extraction methods and experimental conditions (pH, temperature and solvent) in order to determine the most effective method for converting this agro-industrial waste in a value-added bioproduct. Open-column procedures and HPLC and NMR experiments were performed to evaluate the chemical composition of the extracts, along with total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activities (sequestration of the DPPH and ABTS radicals). A factorial design and response surface methodology were used. The best extraction conditions of substances with antioxidant properties were maceration at 50 °C with 100% ethanol as solvent for mesocarp extracts, and acidic sonication in 100% ethanol for epicarp extracts, with an excellent phenolic profile and antioxidant capacities. The main compounds isolated were the prenylated benzophenones garcinielliptone FC (epicarp) and 30-epi-cambogin (mesocarp). This is the first study analysing the performance of extraction methods within bacuri agro-industrial waste. Results demonstrated that shells and seeds of bacuri can be used as phenolic-rich bioproducts obtained by a simple extraction method, increasing the value chain of this fruit.

Ocotea complex: A metabolomic analysis of a Lauraceae genus.

The genus Ocotea is one of the largest and most economically explored in the Lauraceae family. However, its current industrial use is limited by the difficult identification of Ocotea species. At present, the genus is botanically considered a complex since accurate classification is very difficult to achieve based on taxonomic characteristics. As chemophenetics can aid in Ocotea species identification processes, we propose to evaluate the chemical data in several studies of Lauraceae species published between 1906 and 2019 in order to provide insights of the identification issue of matrix which DNA material or full morphological characteristics may not be readily available. Several alkaloids and lignoids have been found to be specifically synthesized by Ocotea species, enabling their usage in species identification by targeted and untargeted metabolomic approaches. The multivariate analysis of alkaloid, lignoid and flavonoid profiles allowed the characterization of subsets of species, the differentiation of chemical profile based on plant parts (leaves and branches), and to elucidate specific biomarkers for species. The previous chemophenetic model was contradicted by our data using statistical tools, such as HCPC, which allowed clustering adjustments based not only in the presence or absence of two single chemical classes. Chemophenetic study has proved to be a reliable tool in the enhancement of the identification and comprehension of this genus and the family. Here, the current status, pitfalls and future perspectives in Ocotea species metabolomic characterization will be presented.