Anatomy, histochemistry and chemical characterization of the essential oil of the gum tree Vochysia pyramidalis Mart

Abstract

The Gomeira (Vochysia pyramidalis Mart.), belonging to the family Vochysiaceae, is a plant species from the Brazilian cerrado used in folk medicine because of its reputedly anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-bacterial properties. However, scientific data concerning this species are scarce. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to conduct an anatomical and histochemical assessment of this plant species and characterize the chemical composition of its essential oil. For the anatomical evaluation, the leaves, stems and petals were fixed and subjected to common plant anatomy techniques. For the histochemical tests, fresh samples of the stems, leaves and petals were sectioned using a microtome and stained with different dyes to identify the chemical components. The essential oil was obtained from fresh flowers and both dry and fresh leaves using hydrodistillation and was characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The anatomical analysis showed several xeromorphic characteristics, which suggest that the mucilaginous channeland idioblasts are the only secretory structures present in this species. The histochemical tests revealed the presence of secondary metabolites belonging to two different chemical classes: the phenolic compounds and terpenes. The chemical composition of the essential oil was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and hexadecanol; pentacosane and farnesol were identified as its main components. Key words: Brazilian cerrado in Goiás state, secretory structures, farnesol, secondary metabolites, terpenes.

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