The current era witnesses a remarkable advancement in biomass utilization, guided by the principles of green chemistry and biorefinery and the comprehensive exploitation of plant-based raw materials. Predominantly, large-scale production methods have been pursued, akin to approaches in the oil industry, enabling the incorporation of novel products into energy and petrochemical markets. However, the viability of such systems on a small and medium scale is hindered by logistical challenges and the constraints of economies of scale. For small agricultural producers and food processing companies, the complete utilization of biomass transcends environmental responsibility, evolving into a strategy for survival through the diversification of by-products with enhanced value. The state of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil presents a range of population dynamics, geographical features, climate conditions, and agricultural production patterns that closely resemble those found in various tropical countries and agricultural regions worldwide. This region, sustaining a green belt supporting 17 million people, provides an apt case study for investigating chemical compounds with potential value among agro-industrial residues, which can motivate the creation of a lucrative biotechnological industry. Examples include naringenin and hesperidin from oranges and lemons, epi-gallo-catechin gallate from bananas, caffeic acids from coffee, and the bromelain enzyme from pineapples. This study addresses the challenges associated with developing biotechnological alternatives within the agroindustry, considering economic, technological, logistical, and market-related aspects. The insights from examining the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro will contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable biomass utilization and the creation of value-added by-products.

Vegetable oils are among the most important traditional resources of Amazonia. Oleoresins are a type of oil that have interesting characteristics and highly bioactive properties with pharmacological potential. Oleoresins produced in the trunks of Copaifera (Fabaceae) spp. trees, known as copaiba oils, are made up of terpenes from the sesquiterpene (volatile) and diterpene (resinous) classes, but in amounts that vary between species and depending on several factors, such as soil type. Despite being used for medicinal purposes, via topical and oral application, the toxic effects of copaiba oils and their constituents are little known. The current paper reviews the toxicological studies, both in vitro and in vivo, described in the literature for copaiba oils, as well as the cytotoxic characteristics (against microorganisms and tumor cells) in in silico, in vitro and in vivo models for the sesquiterpenes and diterpenes that make up these oils.

Background/Objectives: Andiroba oil, extracted from Carapa guianensis seeds, possesses therapeutic properties including anti-inflammatory and wound healing effects. This study aimed to develop and characterize a nanoemulsion formulation containing andiroba oil (NeAnd) and to evaluate its cytotoxicity and wound healing potential in vitro. Methods: The oil was evaluated for acidity, antioxidant activity, and fatty acid composition. NeAnd was produced by ultrasonication and characterized using FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. Results: NeAnd exhibited a spherical shape and stable physicochemical properties, with an average hydrodynamic diameter (HD) of 205.7 ± 3.9 nm, a polydispersity index (PdI) of 0.295 ± 0.05, a negative zeta potential of −4.16 ± 0.414 mV, and pH of approximately 6.5. These nanodroplets remained stable for 120 days when stored at 4 °C and maintained their parameters even under pH variations. FTIR and Raman analyses confirmed the presence of functional groups and the organization of fatty acid chains in NeAnd. Cell viability assays revealed no statistically significant differences in cytotoxicity at various concentrations (90–360 µg/mL) after 24 and 48 h. In scratch wound healing assays, NeAnd significantly enhanced wound closure (88.9%) compared to the PBS control (38%) and free andiroba oil (68.6%) in keratinocytes (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These promising findings indicate NeAnd as a potential nanophytomedicine for wound healing and tissue regeneration treatments.

Background: Natural products have been universally approached in the research of novel trends useful to detail the essential paths of the life sciences and as a strategy for pharmacotherapeutics. Objective: This work focuses on further modification to the 6-hydroxy-flavanone building block aiming to obtain improved BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors. Methods: Ether derivatives were obtained from Williamson synthesis and triazole from Microwave- assisted click reaction. Chemical structures were finely characterized through IR, 1H and 13C NMR and HRMS. They were tested for their inhibitory activity against BCR-ABL kinase. Results: Two inhibitors bearing a triazole ring as a pharmacophoric bridge demonstrated the strongest kinase inhibition at IC50 value of 364 nM (compound 3j) and 275 nM (compound 3k). Conclusion: 6-hydroxy-flavanone skeleton can be considered as a promising core for BCR-ABL kinase inhibitors.

Trema micranthum (Cannabaceae) has emerged as a promising new source of cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD). Given the substantial medicinal demand for cannabinoids and the regulatory challenges associated with Cannabis sativa due to the presence of Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), this study sought to explore the presence of CBD, THC, and their precursors, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinolic acid A (THCA A) and cannabidiolic acid (CBDA), in various parts of Trema micranthum using UHPLC-HRMS/MS (Orbitrap). Extracts from fruits, leaves, inflorescences, and stems were obtained using a methanol/hexane (9:1, v/v) solvent mixture. UHPLC coupled with an Orbitrap mass spectrometer was employed for cannabinoid identification and quantification, with standard mixtures prepared in methanol. The extracts yielded significant quantities, such as 6.6%/g from leaves and 3%/g from fruits. Cannabinoids were detected in fruits, leaves, and inflorescences, with acidic forms (CBDA and THCA A) present in higher concentrations than their neutral counterparts. Notably, leaves contained 4.43 × 10⁻³ µg/g of CBD and 1.05 × 10⁻³ µg/g of THC. These findings, facilitated by high-resolution analytical methods, underscore the potential of Trema micranthum as an alternative source for cannabinoids, guiding future research in this area.

Eperua oleifera Ducke, commonly known as “copaíba‐jacaré,” produces oilresins traditionally used in folk medicine for wound healing and as antifungal and antibacterial agents, similar to those of Copaifera species. However, its chemical composition remains poorly characterized. This study investigated the oilresin of E. oleifera collected in the Brazilian Amazon region. After derivatization, the sample was analyzed by GC–MS, with data compared to literature, mass spectral libraries, and standards previously isolated. In addition, neutral and acidic fractions were separated using ion‐exchange open‐column chromatography with silica modified with KOH‐impregnated silica as the stationary phase. Twelve diterpenes were identified, including nine carboxylic acids and three alcohols. Hardwickiic acid and copalic acid were the major components, fully characterized by NMR. The most abundant compound in the neutral fraction was isolated and identified by HRMS and NMR as the methyl ester of hardwickiic acid—a compound not previously reported in oilresins. The application of GC–MS enabled the identification of diterpenes based on known fragmentation patterns. In addition, the direct infusion experiment detected a methyl ester that, to our knowledge, has not been previously reported in oilresins.