Evaluation of Yield, Chemical Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of the Essential Oil From Leaves and Fruits (Seed and Bark) of Virola sebifera Aubl. (Myristicaceae)

Abstract

The essential oils (EOs) of Virola sebifera were obtained from leaves, seed fruits and husked fruits, collected during various times of the year (dry and rainy seasons) and extracted via hydrodistillation. The chemical composition of the EOs was analysed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Their radical scavenging properties were evaluated using ABTS and DPPH assays. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were employed for the statistical analysis of the chemical composition data. The EO from leaves collected in August 2017 was characterised by the major compounds (E,E)-α-farnesene (49.67%), α-pinene (14.99%), and (E)-caryophyllene (13.19%). The EO obtained from seed fruits collected in the same month was characterised by (E)-β-ocimene (44.51%), (E,E)-α-farnesene (18.7%), and (E)-caryophyllene (11.43%) as the major compounds. The husked fruits exhibited (E,E)-α-farnesene (58.72%), (E)-caryophyllene (10.99%) and bicyclogermacrene (3.48%) as major compounds. The EO from leaves collected in November 2017 contained (E,E)-α-farnesene (43.28%), α-pinene (23.31%), and (E)-caryophyllene (11.11%) as major compounds. The EO from leaves collected in February 2018 was characterised by (E,E)-α-farnesene (35.09%), α-pinene (14.08%) and (E)-caryophyllene (11.67%) as the major compounds. The EO from leaves collected in May 2018 was characterised by (E,E)-α-farnesene (26.96%), α-pinene (15.22%) and (E)-caryophyllene (10.76%) as the major compounds. The EOs of V. sebifera demonstrated potent antioxidant activity. The HCA analysis revealed the formation of five distinct groups, with Group I exhibiting the highest degree of similarity (55.28%). In the PCA, Group IV contained the highest number of substances contributing to its formation. This study advances the understanding of V. sebifera essential oil by providing a comprehensive chemical and antioxidant evaluation across different plant organs and seasons. The findings reveal significant seasonal variations in the major constituents, particularly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons such as (E,E)-α-farnesene and (E)-caryophyllene, which directly influence the oil's bioactivity. These results contribute to expanding the knowledge on Amazon Myristicaceae species and highlight the potential of V. sebifera essential oil for pharmaceutical and industrial applications.