Eperua oleifera Ducke (Fabaceae), commonly known as copaíba-jacaré, is traditionally used for therapeutic purposes, like Copaifera oleoresins. Previous GC-MS studies reported its chemical composition as mainly composed of diterpenic acids, consistent with species of the same genus. Although GC-MS remains widely used for comparing compound retention times and fragmentation patterns, its application to diterpenic acids requires a derivatization step to form methyl esters due to the poor chromatographic performance of carboxylic acids on methyl silicone stationary phases. This step may lead to misinterpretations, especially considering recent findings of naturally occurring methyl esters in oleoresins that may co-elute with derivatized acids. This study aimed to apply more sensitive analytical techniques to identify both target and untargeted compounds. The resin of E. oleifera was analyzed by GC-MS to assess the presence of volatile components. Additionally, UHPLC-HRMS was employed using full-scan MS, data-dependent acquisition (DDA), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) in both positive and negative ESI modes. GC-MS confirmed the absence of volatile sesquiterpenes, classifying E. oleifera as a resin. Targeted UHPLC-HRMS detected natural methyl esters of diterpenic acids, while untargeted analysis using Compound Discoverer 3.3 software revealed flavonoids and phenolic compounds not previously reported. These findings support the application of UHPLC-HRMS as a powerful tool in phytochemical studies.

Eperua oleifera Ducke (Fabaceae), commonly known as copaíba-jacaré, is traditionally used for therapeutic purposes, like Copaifera oleoresins. Previous GC-MS studies reported its chemical composition as mainly composed of diterpenic acids, consistent with species of the same genus. Although GC-MS remains widely used for comparing compound retention times and fragmentation patterns, its application to diterpenic acids requires a derivatization step to form methyl esters due to the poor chromatographic performance of carboxylic acids on methyl silicone stationary phases. This step may lead to misinterpretations, especially considering recent findings of naturally occurring methyl esters in oleoresins that may co-elute with derivatized acids. This study aimed to apply more sensitive analytical techniques to identify both target and untargeted compounds. The resin of E. oleifera was analyzed by GC-MS to assess the presence of volatile components. Additionally, UHPLC-HRMS was employed using full-scan MS, data-dependent acquisition (DDA), and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) in both positive and negative ESI modes. GC-MS confirmed the absence of volatile sesquiterpenes, classifying E. oleifera as a resin. Targeted UHPLC-HRMS detected natural methyl esters of diterpenic acids, while untargeted analysis using Compound Discoverer software revealed flavonoids and phenolic compounds not previously reported. These findings support the application of UHPLC-HRMS as a powerful tool in phytochemical studies.

A resina aromática das espécies do gênero Protium é utilizada na medicina popular como vermífugo, antiparasitário, ansiolítico, cicatrizante e como matéria-prima para o tratamento de problemas respiratórios, dentários e digestivos. A espécie Protium calendulinum Daly produz resina em forma de gotas que cristalizam quando em contato com o ambiente, sendo também rica em óleo essencial. Os estudos para avaliar a composição química do óleo essencial da resina e potenciais atividades biológicas da P. calendulinum frente à microrganismo, ainda são incipientes. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a composição química de seu óleo essencial, bem como avaliar suas possíveis atividades bactericida e leishmanicida. A análise da composição química do óleo demonstrou a presença de monoterpenos (82,64%) e sesquiterpenos (2,07%). Os compostos majoritários foram o orto-cimeno (27,52 %), α-felandreno (17,73 %), α-pineno (13,77 %), eucaliptol (6,47 %) e α-terpineno (5,97 %). O óleo essencial usado in natura demonstrou atividade bactericida em teste de difusão em disco para as espécies Staphylococcus. aureus, Staphylococcus. aureus Resistente a Meticilina (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Klebsiella pneumoniae, com zonas de inibição de crescimento bacteriano entre 7,7 e 14,0 mm, porém, não indicou atividade frente às espécies Escherichia coli e Acinetobacter baumannii. Atividade leishmanicida frente à forma promastigota da Leishmania amazonensis foi observada nas concentrações de 100 µg.mL-1 (Índice de Inibição de Crescimento de 93%) e 200 µg.mL-1 (Índice de Inibição de Crescimento de 100%). A CIM observada foi de 100 µg.mL-1 e CI50 de 96,08 µg.mL-1.