Search

The aim of this study was to verify in vitro the influence of rosemary, andiroba, and copaiba essential oils on different stages of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus. Female ticks were collected from naturally infected cows and treated in vitro with these essential oils at concentrations of 5% and 10%. All tests were performed in triplicate using positive (amitraz 10%) and negative (untreated) controls. It was possible to observe that rosemary, andiroba, and copaiba essential oils inhibited female reproduction at concentrations of 5% (45.0%, 77.5%, and 71.6%, respectively) and 10% (55.7%, 92.0,% and 86.7%, respectively) compared with amitraz (72.9%). Additionally, andiroba (10%) and copaiba (5% and 10%) oil solutions also had an acaricidal effect (100%), similarly to the positive control. The andiroba and copaiba oils showed an ovicidal effect, which effected hatchability. Rosemary oil showed neither acaricidal nor ovicidal effect. Therefore, based on these results, we were able to show that all oils and concentrations tested may affect tick reproduction by inhibiting tick oviposition and hatchability. In addition, andiroba and copaiba oils exhibited ovicidal and acaricidal effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry and wet seasons present in different formations on the Cerrado domain are capable of promoting alterations in the composition of volatile compounds (terpenes) in the essential oil from copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffi Desf.). Different ecophysiological conditions of regions and climatic change could be important factors in modifying the chemical profile of terpenes and the yields from essential oil. Copaiba plants from semideciduous seasonal forests show differences into the phytochemical profile obtained in dry and wet seasons, with presence of monoterpenes alpha-thujene, o-cymene, (Z)-beta-ocimene, (E)-beta-ocimene, gamma-terpinene and terpinolene in point 1 (in the wet season), while Cerrado strictu sensu did not show significant differences in chemical composition of volatile compounds (only alpha-cadinol and seychellene showed significant differences). Nevertheless, sesquiterpenes trans-caryophyllene, gamma-cadinene, delta-cadinene, germacrene B and the oxygenated sesquiterpene caryophyllene oxide did not shown any significant differences in the essential oil composition among different points, independent of seasonality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products have been studied aiming to understand their biological properties. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial activity of twenty-seven essential oils (EOs) used in aromatherapy procedures, a natural therapy with great emphasis currently used against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The agar dilution method was carried out and minimal inhibitory concentration against 50% and 90% of strains (MIC50% and MIC90% values) were reported. The S. aureus strains were highly susceptible with MIC90% from 0.21 mg/mL to black pepper (Piper nigrum) and tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) to 26.52 mg/mL with copaiba (Copaifera officinalis) EO. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) EOs were effective against E. coli (2.0 mg/mL) while the S. aromaticum EO was against P. aeruginosa (8.29 mg/mL). Thus, the higher susceptibility of Gram-positive bacteria when compared with Gram-negative strains was found, and a large variability in the potential antibacterial has also been observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oleoresins of Copaifera paupera, C. piresii and C. pubiflora were examined by GC-FID and CC/MS. The oleoresins of C. paupera and C. piresii were characterized by a high percentage of α-copaene (42.5% and 45.5%), followed by β -caiyophyllene (14.1% and 10.3%) and ö-cadinene (10.4% and 13.7%, respectively). The oleoresin of C. pubiflora was dominated by β-caryophyIlene (65.9%) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Samples of the leaves of Copaifera trapezifolia Hayne were collected every 3 h over a period of 24 h. Essential oils were isolated from each leaf sample and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major constituents were β-caryophyllene 33.5%) and germacrene D (10.9%). No circadian variation was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]