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Israel Journal of Plant Sciences

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Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil

a b c
Roberto F. Vieira , Humberto R. Bizzo & Cicero Deschamps
a
Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Caixa Postal 02372, CEP. 70770-917,
Brasília, DF, Brazil
b
Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, CEP. 23020-470, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
c
Departamento de Fitotecnia e Fitossanitarismo, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP.
80035-050, Curitiba, PR, Brazil
Published online: 14 Mar 2013.

To cite this article: Roberto F. Vieira , Humberto R. Bizzo & Cicero Deschamps (2010): Genetic resources of aromatic
plants from Brazil, Israel Journal of Plant Sciences, 58:3-4, 263-271

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1560/IJPS.58.2.263

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 Israel Journal of Plant Sciences Vol. 58 2009 pp. 263–271
DOI: 10.1560/IJPS.58.2.263

Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil

ROBERTO F. VIEIRA,a,* HUMBERTO R. BIZZO,b CICERO DESCHAMPSc

a
Embrapa Recursos Genéticos e Biotecnologia, Caixa Postal 02372, CEP. 70770-917, Brasília, DF, Brazil
b
Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, CEP. 23020-470, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
c
Departamento de Fitotecnia e Fitossanitarismo, Universidade Federal do Paraná, CEP. 80035-050, Curitiba,
PR, Brazil

(Received 31 January 2010; accepted in revised form 21 September 2010)

ABSTRACT
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Brazil is an important player in the essential oil world market, being the fourth larg-
est producer, after India, China, and Indonesia. Most of this commercial standing
is due to the citrus essential oils, since they are a byproduct of the large Brazilian
orange juice industry. A few native aromatic species have been recognized as pri-
ority for germplasm conservation, and some of these are described in this paper.
Among them, we can mention rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora var. amazonica), sacaca
(Croton cajucara), canela de cunhã (Croton aff. zehnneri), priprioca (Cyperus ar-
ticulatus), sassafras (Ocotea odorifera), long pepper (Piper hispidinervum), alecrim
pimenta (Lippia sidoides), and candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus). Some exotic
and cultivated species are also important, mainly in the south and southeast Brazil,
such as chamomile (Chamomila recutita), rosemary (5RVPDULQXV RIÀFLQDOOLV),
Japanese mint (Mentha arvensis), and ginger (=LQJLEHU RIÀFLQDOH). This paper il-
OXVWUDWHVVRPHRIWKHYDVWSRWHQWLDORI%UD]LOLDQDURPDWLFÁRUD9HU\IHZJHUPSODVP
collections have been established in Brazil. Most of them consist of a large number
of species, with few accessions. It is an enormous task to establish a program for
genetic resource conservation of these species, which requires multi-institutional
and multi-disciplinary collaboration. These collections will have an important role
in the future, providing genetic material for chemical characterization, breeding of
new crops, improving our understanding of secondary metabolism, and in preserv-
ing an important part of our cultural and national heritage.

INTRODUCTION FOLQJ RI QXWULHQWV ZKRVH HIÀFLHQF\ LV GLUHFWO\ UHODWHG

to the biological diversity and the structural complexity
Approximately two-thirds of the biological diversity of
of the forest.
the world is found in tropical zones, mainly in develop-
The essential oils and aromas produced in the Ama-
ing countries. Brazil is considered the country with the
zon region can be used as a source of raw materials for
greatest biodiversity on the planet, with nearly 55,000
use in products such as perfumes, fragrances, and
native species distributed over six major biomes: Ama-
cosmetics, or by processing into structural derivative
zon, Caatinga, Cerrado, Atlantic rainforest, Pantanal,
products for the industries of phytopharmaceuticals or
DQGWKHVXEWURSLFDOIRUHVW9LHLUD)LJ
veterinary and horticulture (insecticides, fungicides,
7KH %UD]LOLDQ $PD]RQ )RUHVW WURSLFDO UDLQIRUHVW
EDFWHULFLGHVODUYLFLGHV0DLDDQG$QGUDGH
covers nearly 40% of all national territory, with about
20% legally preserved. This ecosystem is rather fragile, *Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
and its productivity and stability depend on the recy- E-mail: rfvieira@cenargen.embrapa.br

© 2009 Science From Israel / LPPLtd., Jerusalem

 264
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)LJ0DMRUELRPHVRI%UD]LO6RXUFH(PEUDSD&HQDUJHQ

Although the biodiversity of plant species (medici- phytic vegetation typical of a semiarid climate. The soils
nal, aromatic, fruits, ornamentals, etc.) in the Amazon that are fertile, due to the nature of their original materi-
is largely known, only a few species has been able to als and the low level of rainfall, experience minor runoff
become a commercial source of essential oil for the 9LHLUD$YDULHW\RIIUXLWVSHFLHVDQGPHGLFLQDO
LQGXVWU\ 0DLD HW DO  UHSRUWHG H[WHQVLYH ZRUN
as the result of a survey in all Brazilian Amazon states
in the last 30 years. Around 350 aromatic species have
been reported as a result of this inventory, with more
WKDQ  ÀHOG WULSV UHVXOWLQJ LQ GLIIHUHQW FKHPRW\SHV
and aromatic plants have their centers of genetic diver-
sity in this region, and the local practice of folk medi-
cine is very common. The work of Craveiro and col-
ODERUDWRUVLQWKHVDQGVKDVOLVWHGDQDO\VHV
of several species described in the book Essential Oils
and components from different plant parts.
The main commercially exploited species in the
region were the essential oil of rosewood (Aniba ro-
saeodora), the oil resin of copaiba (Copaifera spp.), and
the seeds of cumaru (or fava tonka) (Dipteryx odorata
from Northeast Plants&UDYHLURHWDOUHSRUWHG
several important aromatic species for this region, such
as Lippia and Croton species. Wild relatives of basil,
such as Ocimum campechianum, O. americanum, and
O. transamazonicum, are also reported to this region.
:LOOG0DLDDQG$QGUDGH5HFHQWO\PRUHVSH- The Cerrado biome is the second largest ecological
cies have been included in the trade of Amazon prod- domain of Brazil, where a continuous herbaceous stra-
ucts, such as long pepper (Piper hispedinervum) and tum is joined to an arboreal stratum, with variable den-
priprioca (Cyperus articulatus L.). sity of woody species. The Cerrado covers 25% of the
The Caatinga biome extends over areas of the states WHUULWRU\RI%UD]LO9LHLUDDQG0DUWLQV9LHLUDDQG
of northeastern Brazil and is characterized by the xero- 3RW]HUQKHLPUHSRUWHGDOLVWRIDURPDWLFSODQWVLQ

Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 58 2009


WKH&HUUDGRÁRUDZKLFKFRXOGSRWHQWLDOO\EHH[SORLWHG
after an intense bioprospection program. There are
many species from botanical families such as Astera-
FHDH /DPLDFHDH 3LSHUDFHDH DQG9HUEHQDFHDH ZKLFK
have never been chemically studied or evaluated.
7KH$WODQWLF )RUHVW H[WHQGV RYHU QHDUO\ WKH ZKROH
265
largely cultivated on the fertile soils of Paraná state in
southern Brazil, but has been replaced in the last de-
cades by soybean plantations.
Besides that, Brazil is still an important player in
the essential oil world marked, being the fourth largest
producer, after India, China, and Indonesia (Bizzo et
Brazilian coastline, and is one of the most endangered
HFRV\VWHPVRIWKHZRUOGZLWKOHVVWKDQRIWKHRULJL-
nal vegetation remaining. The climate is predominantly
KRWDQGWURSLFDODQGSUHFLSLWDWLRQUDQJHVIURPWR
PPDQQXDOO\7KHODQGLVFRPSRVHGRIKLOOVDQG
DO  0RVW RI WKLV FRPPHUFLDO SRVLWLRQ LV GXH WR
the citrus essential oils, since they are a byproduct of
the Brazil’s large orange juice industry, followed by the
essential oils of lemon and other citrus species, repre-
senting around 5% of the total exports to the European
FRDVWDOSODLQVDFFRPSDQLHGE\DPRXQWDLQUDQJH9LHL- 8QLRQLQ%L]]RHWDO
UD6HYHUDOLPSRUWDQWDURPDWLFVSHFLHVDUHIRXQG Another species that represent a large exportation
in this region, such as Cordia verbenaceae, Ocotea product of essential oil is Eucalyptus globulus and
odorifera, and Eremanthus erythropappus. E. citriodoraIRUPHGLFLQHDQGÁDYRULQGXVWU\UHVSHF-
7KH WHUULWRU\ RI WKH 0HULGLRQDO )RUHVWV DQG *UDVV- WLYHO\%L]]RHWDO6LPLODUO\WRCitrus, the culti-
lands includes the mesophytic tropical forests, the vation of Eucalyptus in Brazil is mostly for the cellulose
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subtropical forests, and the meridional grasslands of and wood production, being the essential oil a byproduct
the states of Southern Brazil. The climate is tropical of this agribusiness.
and subtropical, humid, with some areas of temperate
climate. The naturally fertile soils, associated with the
MAIN BRAZILIAN AROMATIC SPECIES
mild climate, allowed rapid colonization during the
last century, mainly by European and, more recently, A few aromatic species have been recognized as prior-
E\ -DSDQHVH LPPLJUDQWV 9LHLUD  6HYHUDO H[- ity for germplasm conservation, and some of these are
otic aromatic plants, such as chamomile (Matricaria GHVFULEHGLQWKLVSDSHUDVIROORZV)LJ
recutita), lemon balm (0HOLVVD RIÀFLQDOLV), rosemary Rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora var. amazonica
(5RVPDULQXV RIÀFLQDOLV), basil (Ocimum basilicum), Ducke1) is a world-famous tree of the Lauraceae family,
and origanum (Origanum vulgare), were introduced, growing wild in the Amazon rain forest, used in Brazil-
adapted, and cultivated by the immigrants. ian folk medicine due to its sedative effect. The essential
7KH 3DQWDQDO LV D JHRORJLFDOO\ ORZHUHG DUHD ÀOOHG oil obtained from the rosewood tree is primarily used
with sediments that have settled in the basin of the LQ ÀQH SHUIXPHU\7KH H[SORLWDWLRQ RI WKH WUHH IRU H[-
3DUDJXD\ 5LYHU 3DQWDQDO ÁRUD LV PDGH XS RI VSHFLHV traction of the essential oil has made this an edangered
from both Cerrado and Amazon vegetation. More than species, despite many restrictive regulations set by the
200 species useful for human and animal consumption, Brazilian government.
as well as for industrial use, have been recorded in this 5RVHZRRGHVVHQWLDORLOULFKLQOLQDORROXSWR
UHJLRQ9LHLUD w/w), is extracted from its trunk and traded to the per-
fume industry (Maia et al., 2004). The chemical com-
position of rosewood collected in the Amazon forest,
ESSENTIAL OILS IN BRAZIL
VWXGLHGE\*&06KDVVKRZQDOLQDORROFRQWHQWRI
The Brazilian essential oil industry was initiated around OHDIDQGZRRG:RRGVDPSOHVFRQWDLQHGDPL[-
 ZKHQ WKH ÀUVW URVHZRRG HVVHQWLDO RLO H[WUDFWLRQ ture of linalool enantiomers in a ratio of approximately
started. During and after the Second World War, Brazil 40% (–)-linalool to 60% (+)-linalool, while leaf samples
became an important player in the essential oil industry, showed linalool enantiomers at an average of 20% (–)-
since several raw materials coming from Asia became OLQDORRO DQG  OLQDORRO G·$FDPSRUD=HOOQHU HW
scarce and restricted. After this period, the production DO/XSHHWDO/HDIVDPSOHVKDYHVKRZQ
of essential oil from rosewood, sassafras, mint, and WKHFORVHVWFRPSRVLWLRQSURÀOHFRPSDUHGWRFRPPHUFLDO
citrus have increased, followed by the establishment of wood samples, making it a possible new substitute for
WKHORFDOHVVHQWLDORLOLQGXVWU\DQGLQWHUQDWLRQDOÁDYRU PDWHULDOV IURP %UD]LO /XSH HW DO  /XSH HW DO
KRXVHV+RZHYHUWKHÀUVWWZRVSHFLHVVDZWKHLUSURGXF-  KDYH VWXGLHG RWKHU SRVVLEOH VRXUFHV RI OLQDORRO
WLRQGHFUHDVHGLQWKHVGXHPRVWO\WRXQVXVWDLQDEOH from Lippia alba and Ocimum basilicum chemotypes,
harvesting. Both species, rosewood and sassafras, are VKRZLQJDYHU\FORVHSURÀOH
now on the list of threatened species of the Brazilian )RUDGLVFXVVLRQRQWKHFRQWURYHUV\UHJDUGLQJWKHFRUUHFW
Ministry of Environment. The mint production was ERWDQLFDOLGHQWLÀFDWLRQVHH0DLDHWDO

Vieira et al. / Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil

 266
Sacaca (Croton cajucara Benth.) is a native Eu-
phorbiaceae shrub from the Amazon region, widely
used in local folk medicine for the treatment of a wide
range of illnesses. The essential oil from the leaves of
C. cajucara, collected from Amazon, Brazil, contains
vestigated in several standard rodent models of pain and
LQÁDPPDWLRQ VKRZLQJ WKDW WKH HVVHQWLDO RLO FRQWDLQV
FRPSRXQGVWKDWKDGDVLJQLÀFDQWDQWLQRFLFHSWLYHHIIHFW
when the oil was administered at the highest dose. The
HVVHQWLDO RLO DOVR KDG D VLJQLÀFDQW DQWLLQÁDPPDWRU\
OLQDORRO  (QHUROLGRO  DQG `-caryo- HIIHFWLQDFXWHDQGFKURQLFLQÁDPPDWLRQPRGHOVZKHQ
SK\OOHQHDVLWVPDMRUFRQVWLWXHQWV/RSHVHWDO
2000). Lately, Embrapa Eastern Amazon has established
a gemplasm bank for agronomic studies of this species
with individuals collected from different areas of the
$PD]RQ 7ZR PRUSKRW\SHV ZHUH LGHQWLÀHG QDPHO\
DGPLQLVWHUHGDWORZHUGRVHV%LJKHWWLHWDO
Canela de Cunhã (Croton aff. zehnneri) is a small
herb largely distributed in the semi-arid of the northeast
region of Brazil. It is largely used by the local popula-
tion since it presents a strong aroma of anise, being
ZKLWHVDFDFDDQGUHGVDFDFD)URPFKHPLFDOVWXGLHVWKH
HVVHQWLDORLOVRIWKHVHSODQWVFRXOGEHFODVVLÀHGLQWZR
groups: one rich in linalool (up to 45%), and other rich
(up to 44%) in a hydroxylated aromatic sesquiterpene
105KDVSURYLGHGDQLGHQWLÀFDWLRQRIK\GUR[\FDO-
amenene) (Quadros et al, unpublished results).
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The in vitro leishmanicidal effects of a linalool-rich
ORFDOO\NQRZQDV´ZLOGFLQQDPRQµ&UDYHLURKDV
recognized at least four chemotypes of C. zehnneri (eu-
genol, methylchavicol, methyl-eugenol, and anethol).
Although the genus Croton and the Euphorbiaceae
family are not well recognized as an important source
of essential oils, around 23 species of this genus have
had their essential oil composition described (Craveiro,
essential oil from the leaves of Croton cajucara against
Leishmania amazonensis ZHUH LQYHVWLJDWHG 5RVD HW
al., 2003). Morphological changes in L. amazonensis
SURPDVWLJRWHVWUHDWHGZLWKQJ of essential oil per mL
were observed by transmission electron microscopy;
leishmanial nuclear and kinetoplast chromatin destruc-
WLRQ IROORZHG E\ FHOO O\VLV ZDV REVHUYHG ZLWKLQ  K
These results provide new perspectives on the develop-

Priprioca: Priprioca tubers (Cyperus articulatus
L.) are largely used in the Amazon’s traditional aroma-
therapy, mainly in the Pará State. The volatile oil from
priprioca species is one of the most recent aroma intro-
ductions from Amazon biodiversity in the perfume mar-
ket, representing an important source of raw material to
the industry and income to the local communities (Po-
ment of drugs with activities against Leishmania, as WLJXDUDDQG=RJKEL$WOHDVWIRXUtaxa are known
linalool-rich essential oil is a strikingly potent leish- as priprioca: C. articulatus var. articulatus, C. articu-
PDQLFLGDO SODQW H[WUDFW  OHWKDO GRVHV  QJP/ latus var. nodosus, C. prolixus Kunth, and C. rotundus
IRUSURPDVWLJRWHVDQGQJP/IRUDPDVWLJRWHVZKLFK /7KHÀUVWWZRDUHFXOWLYDWHGLQFRPPHUFLDOVFDOH)URP
inhibited the growth of L. amazonensis promastigotes at WRDURXQGWRQRISULSULRFDWXEHUVZHUH
YHU\ORZFRQFHQWUDWLRQV0,&SJP/DQGZKLFK
presented no cytotoxic effects against mammalian cells.
The antimicrobial activity of the oil was also inves-
tigated (Alviano et al., 2005). Microbes of saliva speci-
PHQV IURP KXPDQ LQGLYLGXDOV ZLWK À[HG RUWKRGRQWLF
appliances, as well as the reference strains, were used
produced. Although the demand for raw material is lim-
ited to a few companies, the interest for this species has
increased the prices of tubes in local markets.
The essential oils from the tuber parts of Cyperus
articulatus var. articulates and C. articulatus var. nodo-
sus, cultivated in the State of Para, showed mustakone
WR FRQVWUXFW DQ DUWLÀFLDO ELRÀOP ZKLFK ZDV H[SRVHG ²DQG²UHVSHFWLYHO\DQGFDU\RSK-
to the essential oil. As in microbial suspensions, the \OOHQHR[LGH²DQG²UHVSHFWLYHO\
essential oil was toxic for all the microorganisms. The
compounds of the essential oil were separated by thin
layer chromatography and exposed to the above-cited
microorganisms. In this analysis, the proliferation of
the bacterial cells was inhibited by still uncharacterized
PROHFXOHVDQGOLQDORROZDVFRQÀUPHGDVWKHDQWLIXQJDO
component of the essential oil. Neither the crude es-
VHQWLDO RLO QRU WKH SXULÀHG OLQDORRO IUDFWLRQ LV WR[LF WR
mammalian cells, which suggests that the essential oil
RULWVSXULÀHGFRPSRQHQWVPD\EHXVHIXOWRFRQWUROWKH
PLFURELDOSRSXODWLRQLQSDWLHQWVZLWKÀ[HGRUWKRGRQWLF
appliances.
$QDOJHVLF DQG DQWLLQÁDPPDWRU\ SURSHUWLHV RI WKH
essential oil from the bark of C. cajucara has been in-
Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 58 2009
DVPDMRUFRPSRQHQWV=RJKELHWDO7KHYRODWLOH
oils of C. prolixus and C. rotundus are characterized by
WKH SUHVHQFH RI KLGUR[\epi-`-caryophyllene and
ciperotundone and _-ciperone, respectively.
Concerning the two varieties of C. articulatus cul-
tivated in Para for commercial use in perfumery, the
minor variations in quantity observed in their chemical
composition probably do not modify the scent of their
oils to any great extent.
Sassafras [Ocotea odorifera (Vell.) Rohwer] is a na-
WLYHWUHHIURPWKH$WODQWLF)RUHVWRFFXUULQJDOORYHUWKH
Brazilian southeastern and southern coast. O. odorifera
presents a high content of safrole in its bark. The world
GHPDQGIRURLOULFKLQVDIUROHLVYHU\VLJQLÀFDQWVLQFH
 
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)LJ,OOXVWUDWLRQRIPDLQDURPDWLFVSHFLHVIURPWKH%UD]LOLDQELRGLYHUVLW\D$OHFULPSLPHQWDÁRZHUVLippia sidoides);

E(UYDEDOHHLUDOHDYHVDQGLQÁRUHVFHQFHCordia verbenaceae); (c) Sacaca leaves (Croton cajucaraG5RVHZRRGAniba
rosaeodoraEXGVDQGÁRZHUVHEXOEVDQGIFXOWLYDWHGSODQWVRISULSULRFDCyperus articulatus3KRWRFUHGLWVDF)&
&KDYHVE5)9LHLUDG/%DUDWDHI'&DVWHOODQL

Vieira et al. / Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil

 

this phenyl ether is the precursor molecule for obtaining Cadeia do Espinhaço Mountains, in the state of Minas
SLSHURQDO DQG SLSHURQ\O EXWR[LGH 7KH ÀUVW LV XVHG LQ *HUDLV%UD]LO9LFFLQLHWDO,QWKH&HUUDGRUH-
LQGXVWU\IRUÀQHIUDJUDQFHVDQGSHUIXPHV7KHVHFRQG JLRQWKHUHDUHHVWLPDWHGWREHPRUHWKDQVSHFLHVDQG
is a synergistic agent for pyrethrum [Chrysanthemum not all of them have been chemically analyzed yet.
cinerariifolium 7UHYLV9LV$VWHUDFHDH@DQDWXUDOLQ- Most Lippia species have medicinal properties.
secticide widely used in industrialized countries (Maia Some species are traditionally utilized for gastroin-
DQG$QGUDGH WHVWLQDO UHVSLUDWRU\ DQWLLQÁDPPDWRU\ DQG DQWLVHSWLF
After the Second World War, Brazil became the most remedies. They also have shown anti-malarial, antiviral,
important supplier of sassafras essential oil. However, and cytostatic activities. In addition, leaves from the
the low market price and unsustainable exploitation of majority of these species are used as seasoning for food
O. odorifera led to the reduction of Brazil production SUHSDUDWLRQV9LFFLQLHWDO
RI WKLV UDZ PDWHULDO GXULQJ WKH V DQG &KLQD WKH Candeia [Eremanthus erythropappus (DC) Ma-
largest producer before Second World War, re-assumed cleish]LVDQHQGHPLFWUHHRI0LQDV*HUDLVVWDWHLQWKH
its position of main supplier, extracting an oil rich in saf- southeastern region of Brazil, with multiple uses, the
role from Cinnamomum camphora%L]]RHWDO extraction of essential oil being the most important of
Long pepper (Piper hispidinervum C. DC., Pipera- them. The barks of these species contain a high content
ceae) is a shrub endemic in the state of Acre, Brazil, with of _-bisabolol, which is an important raw material to the
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high yield in an essential oil rich in safrole (Maia et al., pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, due to antibacte-
7KHHVVHQWLDORLOREWDLQHGIURPWKHOHDYHVRIPip- rial, antimycotic, and dermatologic properties (Marques
er aff. hispidinervum (collected from Amazonia), mor- HWDO$OWKRXJKJURZWKWHFKQRORJ\IRUFDQGHLD
phologically identical to Piper hispidinervum, showed production is available, more efforts are still needed,
VL[WHHQVXEVWDQFHVFRUUHVSRQGLQJWRRIWKHRLO since it is not treated as a forest crop locally.
$OWKRXJKVDIUROHZDVDOVRIRXQGLQWKLVRLOWKH 7KHUHDUHÀYHFRPPHUFLDOHQWHUSULVHVH[WUDFWLQJHV-
PDMRUFRPSRQHQWLQWKHVHVDPSOHVZDVVDULVDQ sential oil from Candeia, with an estimated production
DOO\OPHWKR[\PHWK\OHQHGLR[\EHQ]HQHLGHQ- RINJH[SRUWHGPDLQO\WR(XURSHDQFRXQWULHV
WLÀHGE\105VSHFWURVFRS\%L]]RHWDOZKLFK The _-bisabolol extracted from the essential oil is pro-
has showed fungicide, bactericide, insecticide, larvicide duced by three companies and commercialized to cos-
DQGPROOXVFLFLGHDFWLYLWLHV0DLDDQG$QGUDGH
A germplasm bank of this species is well established
DW(PEUDSD$FUHZLWKDURXQGDFFHVVLRQV0RVW
of this collection has been chemically and molecularly
characterized (Wadt et al., 2004).
Alecrim pimenta (Lippia sidoides) is widely used
in northeastern Brazil, in the social medicine pro-
gram named “Live Pharmacies” run by the municipal
governments of country towns, to help poor people
PHWLFDQGSKDUPDFHXWLFDOLQGXVWULHV&UDYHLUR
Exotic and cultivated species
Although the major focus of germplasm conservation
is on native species, several exotic, introduced, and
adapted species have been widely used and cultivated
in Brazil. In southern Brazil, due to favorable cultural
and environmental conditions, several exotic species
are cultivated in large areas. These include chamo-
through phytotherapy, performed with local plants that mile (Chamomila recutita / 5DXVFKHUW URVHPDU\
are inexpensive but very effective. The program was (5RVPDULQXV RIÀFLQDOOLV L.), Japanese mint (Mentha
FRQFHLYHG E\ WKH ODWH 3URIHVVRU )UDQFLVFR -$ 0DWRV arvensis L.), and ginger (=LQJLEHU RIÀFLQDOH 5RVFRH),
0DWRV  L. sidoides plant is mainly used as a all of which are deserving of germplasm introduction
general antiseptic due to its strong action against many and preservation due to the demand for plant material
microorganisms. It is a wild aromatic small tree or shrub to support breeding and research programs to support
from northeast Brazil. The essential oil of L. sidoides the agricultural-based industries of natural products.
FRQWDLQVWK\PRODVPDLQFRPSRQHQW0DWRVHW In addition, agronomic techniques including genetic
DO2WKHUFKHPRW\SHVKDYHEHHQLGHQWLÀHGVXFK selection, fertilization, harvesting time, and drying con-
as carvacrol and citral. GLWLRQV KDYH EHHQ HYDOXDWHG E\ )HGHUDO 8QLYHUVLW\ RI
The genus Lippia9HUEHQDFHDHLVZLGHO\GLVWULEXWHG
in Brazil, and several species from the Amazon region
to the very South of Brazil have been chemically stud-
ied. This includes approximately 200 species of herbs,
shrubs and small trees mainly distributed throughout
6RXWK DQG &HQWUDO $PHULFD DQG 7URSLFDO $IULFD 2QH
of the main diversity centers of this genus is located at
Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 58 2009
Parana to increase biomass production and essential oil
yield and composition of these species.
Chamomile is cultivated in Parana State under
conventional and organic systems. In the conventional
system, the planting is done by seed spread and the
weed control by the use of herbicides. Because chemi-
cal control of weeds with herbicides is not used in farms
 

FHUWLÀHG IRU RUJDQLF SURGXFWLRQ UHVHDUFK KDV IRFXVHG
RQWKHÀHOGHVWDEOLVKPHQWRIFKDPRPLOHLQURZVWKDWDO-
low the mechanical control of weeds until 30 days after
planting. It has been shown that both row spacing and
seed quantity affect essential oil yield and composition
of organic chamomile.
The mint germplasm was recently evaluated under
the growing conditions of southern Brazil, where the es-
sential oil productivity of the genetic materials showed
large variation and decreased by half during the winter
EHHQQDWXUDOL]HG0DWWRVSHUVFRPPDQGQHHG
to be conserved.
FUTURE PERSPECTIVES
9HU\IHZJHUPSODVPFROOHFWLRQVKDYHEHHQHVWDEOLVKHG
in Brazil. Most of them consist of a large number of spe-
cies, with few accessions. The concept of a germplasm
bank with many species and accessions, including their
different varieties, chemotypes, and close related spe-
in some genotypes. Because the incidence of rust (Puc-
cinnia menthae) is the most limiting factor for the ma-
jority of mint genetic materials, a diagrammatic scale to
evaluate the incidence and severity of this disease was
developed. The mint response to nitrogen fertilization
(levels and sources), plant row spacings, and harvesting
time have also been evaluated in mint genetic materials
Downloaded by [University of Regina] at 15:12 13 May 2013
and will contribute to increasing the income from this
economic activity.
*LQJHULVSURGXFHGPDLQO\LQ6DQWD&DWDULQD3DUDQD
São Paulo, and Espírito Santo states. The majority of the
rhizomes are exported to the food industry in Europe.
Since Brazil imports ginger essential oil, research has
FLHVLVJUHDWO\QHHGHG9LHLUD$IHZFROOHFWLRQV
have started to treat their medicinal and aromatic plants
as a germplasm bank. The collections are more similar
to the inclusion of accessions as used in botanical gar-
dens. These collections are starting to gather additional
plants more extensively, to enrich their genetic variabil-
ity of major species.
)RU WKH SURGXFWLRQ RI QHZ PDWHULDOV EDVHG RQ WKH
RGRULIHURXVÁRUDLWLVQHFHVVDU\WRH[WHQGWKHVFLHQWLÀF
knowledge of species with economic potential, aiming
to subsidize the public and private sector in the imple-
mentation of projects with technological impact, with
views to the regional growth of agribusiness (Maia and
been carried out to determine the essential oil yield and
composition of ginger genetic materials cultivated in
Parana State based on different harvesting times and
drying at environmental conditions.
Patchouli is also produced in Southern Brazil, and
ÀHOGH[SHULPHQWVKDYHFRPSDUHGWKHHIIHFWRIVKDGLQJ
and growth regulators (giberelic acid and seaweed ex-
tract) in organic production. Both factors increased the
essential oil yield and patchoulol levels.
Biotechnology studies have been developed for tea
tree and lavender. The cultivated area of tea tree has
increased in Southern Brazil, and genetic materials of
interest with high terpinen-4-ol content were selected
and cloned in vitro by microprogation. This study in-
cluded the establishment, multiplication, and rooting of
nodal segments. The research with lavender started with
the introduction of genetic materials mainly from Eu-
rope. Although Lavandula dentata is very well adapted
in southern Brazil, the species Lavandula angustifolia
is produced in few regions and only for ornamental
purposes. The introduced genetic materials were evalu-
DWHG LQ ÀHOG H[SHULPHQWV IRU HVVHQWLDO RLO SURGXFWLRQ
7KHPDMRULW\GLGQRWSUHVHQWÁRZHUVDQGWKHLUJURZWK
was extremely limited by the environmental conditions.
6RPH RI WKHP KRZHYHU GHYHORSHG ÁRZHUV DQG ZHUH
selected for in vitro cloning experiments. The germ-
plasm collection of exotic species also needs to be ex-
panded to provide genetic resources for species adapted
WRWKH%UD]LOLDQÀHOGFRQGLWLRQV$OWKRXJK%UD]LOLVQRW
their genetic center of origin, different chemotypes have
$QGUDGH
The natural products industry is looking for new
aromas and raw materials associated with local comu-
nities’ experiences, adding value to their products in
D YHU\ QLFKH PDUNHW 2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG QHZ DURPDV
or molecules can bring inspiration for new perfumes,
or a new aroma for the food industry. The intensive
exploration of a large biodiversity of native fruit aro-
mas represents a rich source of growth for this agri-
cultural chain. A multidisciplinary research program
of investigation of native aromatic plants from the
$WODQWLF)RUHVWZDVUHFHQWO\LPSOHPHQWHGDW´5HVHUYD
Cachoeira”, Parana State. Essential oil samples of
fourteen species (Casearia decandra, Campomanesia
reitziana, Campomanesia rhombea, Endlicheria pa-
niculata, Eugenia egensis, Marlierea obscura, Mikania
oreophila, Nectandra membranacea, Patomorphe um-
EHOODGD3LORFDUSXVSDXFLÁRUXV3LSHUDGXQFXP3LSHU
mollicomum, Psidium cattlelianum, Psidium guajava,
and Sloanea guianensis) were already collected and are
being analyzed. However, this approach requires a close
partnership between industry and research institutions.
Since most aromas produced by plants are somehow
associated with plant defense, research lines looking for
new semiochemicals and natural defensive strategies
and products should be stimulated.
$OWKRXJKWKH%UD]LOLDQÁRUDLVH[WUHPHO\GLYHUVHDQG
rich (even compared to other tropical countries), very
few products have reached a status of commodity, such
as many others products from Asia and Africa.
Vieira et al. / Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil
 

A few breeding programs have been developed ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

involving aromatic plants in Brazil. A basil variety
$XWKRUVZRXOGOLNHWRWKDQN/%DUDWD)&&KDYHVDQG
(O. basilicum L.) named “Maria Bonita”, with a high
D. Castellani for the species pictures, and Mr. Sergio
OLQDORROFRQWHQWZDVGHYHORSHGE\WKH)HGHUDO8QLYHU-
Noronha for the preparation of the map of Brazil bi-
sity of Sergipe, focusing on semiarid region character-
omes.
LVWLFV%ODQNHWDO7KHVDPHUHVHDUFKJURXSLV
working on aroma-producing plants to meet the industry
demand, such as vetiver, lemon grass, geranium, and
patchouli (A. Blank, pers. comm.).
(PEUDSD*HQHWLF5HVRXUFHVDQG%LRWHFKQRORJ\KDV
EHHQDEOHWRLQWURGXFHDJHUPSODVPFROOHFWLRQRIDF-
cessions of Mentha DQG  DFFHVVLRQV RI Lippia alba,
ERWK FKHPLFDOO\ FKDUDFWHUL]HG IRU HVVHQWLDO RLO SURÀOH
REFERENCES
$OYLDQR :6 0HQGRQFD)LOKR 55 $OYLDQR '6 %L-
]]R+56RXWR3DGURQ75RGULJXHV0/%RORJQHVH
$0$OYLDQR&66RX]D00*$QWLPLFURELDO
activity of Croton cajucara Benth linalool-rich essential oil
RQDUWLÀFLDOELRÀOPVDQGSODQNWRQLFPLFURRUJDQLVPV2UDO
This starting material has been used by many local
institutions for the development of adapted material
either for application in phytotherapy or for culinary
use. The genetic diversity of the linalool chemotype of
Downloaded by [University of Regina] at 15:12 13 May 2013
Lippia alba germplasm has been also evaluated by the
0LFURELRO,PPXQRO²
%LJKHWWL (-% +LUXPD/LPD &$ *UDFLRVR -6 %ULWR
$506-3KDUP3KDUPDFRO²
%L]]R+5/RSHV'$EGDOD593LPHQWHO)$6RX]D
-$ 3HUHLUD 09* %HUJWHU / *XLPDUDHV () 
Sarisan from leaves of 3LSHUDIÀQLVKLVSLGLQHUYXP C. DC
8QLYHUVLW\ RI %UDVLOLD DQG 3DUDQD )HGHUDO 8QLYHUVLW\ ORQJSHSSHU)ODYRXU)UDJUDQFH-²
DQGVKRZQOLQDORROOHYHOVRYHULQWKHHVVHQWLDORLO %L]]R+5+RYHOO$0&5H]HQGH&0 Brazilian
of some genetic materials. essential eils: general view, development and perspectives.
5HFHQWO\ D SK\WRWKHUDS\ LQGXVWU\ UHVHDUFKGULYHQ
SURMHFW KDV GHYHORSHG D SURGXFW QDPHG $FKHÁDP®,
based on the essential oil of Cordia verbenaceae, a spe-
4XLPLFD1RYD²&$6
%ODQN $) 6RX]D (0 $UULJRQL%ODQN 0) 3DXOD -
:$$OYHV 3%  0DULD %RQLWD FXOWLYDU GH PDQ-
jericão tipo linalol. Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira
FLHVNQRZQDVHUYDEDOHHLUDZKLFKKDVSRWHQWDQWLQÁDP-
matory properties. A breeding program at the University
of Campinas (CPQBA), based on the natural population
variability, has achieved plant material with more alpha-
humulene content, the active constituent.
A tentative plan to extract rosewood essential oil
from young plant leaves is another research program
designed to establish sustainable conditions for raw
material production from an Amazon tree. At the same
time, a successful project based on sustainable produc-
tion of candeia (V. erythropappa), a native tree from the
Atlantic forest area, has been established for essential
oil extraction and isolation of alpha-bisabolol.
Breeding of exotic species has, in the past, generated
²
&UDYHLUR $$ )HUQDQGHV $* $GUDGH &-6 0DWWRV
)-$ $OHFDU -: 0DFKGR 0,/  ÐOHRV HV-
VHQFLDLVGHSODQWDVGR1RUGHVWH)RUWDOH]D&(,PSUHQVD
8QLYHUVLWiULDSS²
&UDYHLUR$$3ODQWDV$URPiWLFDVGD5HJLmR1RUGHVWH
,Q%DQGRQL$/&]HSDN03HGV2V5HFXUVRV9HJHWDLV
aromáticos no Brasil: seu aproveitamento industrial para a
SURGXomRGHDURPDVHVDERUHV(GLWRUD('8)(69LWyULD
(6%UD]LOSS²
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extracts as an environmentally sustainable source of essen-
tial oils by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry
and enantioselective gas chromatography-olfactometry.
a new variety of Chamomille (cv. ‘Mandirituba’), and $QDO&KHP²
Mentha arvensisFY,$&&RQVLGHULQJWKHODUJH /RSHV ' %L]]R +5 6D6REULQKR$) 3HUHLUD 09*
internal Brazilian demand for herbs, there is an effort to $EUHX/)/LQDORROULFKRLOIURPWKHOHDYHVRICro-
DGDSWPRUHH[RWLFVSHFLHVWR%UD]LOLDQÀHOGFRQGLWLRQV ton cajucara%HQWK-(VVHQW2LO5HV²
requiring germplasm introduction and breeding. /XSH)6RX]D5%DUDWD/)UDJUDQFHVXVWDLQDELOLW\
This paper illustrates some of the vast potential seeking a sustainable alternative to Brazilian rosewood.
RI %UD]LOLDQ DURPDWLF ÁRUD ,W LV DQ HQRUPRXV WDVN WR
elaborate a program for genetic resource conservation
of these species, which require multi-institutional and
multi-disciplinary collaboration. These collections will
have an important role in the future, providing genetic
3HUIXPHU )ODYRULVW²
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aromatic plants and their essential oils. Quim. Nova 32(3):
²
0DLD-*6 6LOYD0//X]$,5 =RKJEL0*% 5D-
PRV/6(VSpFLHVGHSLSHUGD$PD]{QLDULFDVHP
material for chemical characterization, breeding of new VDIURO4XtPLFD1RYD²
crops, improving our understanding of secondary me- 0DLD-*6=RJKEL0*%$QGUDGH(+$3ODQWDV
tabolism, and in preserving an important part of our DURPiWLFDV QD$PD]{QLD H VHXV yOHRV HVVHQFLDLV *RHOGL
cultural and national heritage. HGLWRUDomR%HOpPSS

Israel Journal of Plant Sciences 58 2009

 

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*UDQMD137UXMLOOR$51HZFURSVZLWKSRWHQWLDO 9LFFLQL/)6RX]DGD&RVWD'&0DFKDGR0$&DPSRV
to produce essential oil with high linalool content helping $/*HQHWLFGLYHUVLW\DPRQJQLQHVSHFLHVRILippia
preserve rosewood—an endangered Amazon species. Acta 9HUEHQDFHDHEDVHGRQ5$3'0DUNHUV3ODQW6\VW(YRO
+RUW² ²
0DLD-*6$QGUDGH(+$&RXWR+$56LOYD$&0 9LHLUD 5)  &RQVHUYDWLRQ RI PHGLFLQDO DQG DURPDWLF
0DU[)+HQNH&3ODQWVRXUFHVRI$PD]RQURVH- plants in Brazil. In: Janick, J. ed. New crops and new uses:
ZRRGRLO4XtPLFD1RYD² biodiversity and agricultural sustainability. ASHS press,
0DUTXHV 020 +DEHU // 0LQJ /& 0DWWDQD 56 $OH[DQGULD9$SS²
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$/ &]HSDN 03 HGV 2V UHFXUVRV YHJHWDLV DURPiWLFRV PHGLFLQDLVGRFHUUDGR5HYLVWD%UDVLOHLUDGH3ODQWDV0H-
no Brasil: seu aproveitamento industrial para a produção
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SS²
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taleza, Brazil. 365 pp.
0DWRV )-$ 0DFKDGR 0,/ &UDYHLUR $$ $OHQFDU
-: 6LOYD 0*9  0HGLFLQDO SODQWV RI 1RUWKHDVW
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Brazil containing thymol and carvacrol—Lippia sidoides
GLFLQDLV²
9LHLUD5)3RW]HUQKHLP0&/3ODQWDVDURPiWLFDVGD
região centro-oeste. In: Bandoni, A.L., Czepak, M.P., eds.
2VUHFXUVRVYHJHWDLVDURPiWLFRVQR%UDVLO6HXDSURYHLWD-
mento industrial para a produção de aromas e sabores.
(GLWRUD('8)(69LWyULD(6%UD]LOSS²
:DGW/+2(KULQJKDXV&.DJH\DPD3<*HQHWLF
diversity of pimenta longa genotypes (Piper spp., Pipera-
Cham. and L. gracillis+%.9HUEHQDFHDH-(VVHQW2LO FHDHRIWKH(PEUDSD$FUHJHUPSODVPFROOHFWLRQ*HQHW
5HV²
3RWLJXDUD5&9=RJKEL0*%3ULSULRFD8P5H-
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,$ 6RDUHV 50$ 6RXWR3DGURQ 7 $OYLDQR &6
0RO%LRO²
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($6&RPSDULVRQRIWKHPDLQFRPSRQHQWVRIWKH
essential oils of “priprioca”: Cyperus articulatus var. ar tic-
ulatus L., C. articulatus var. nodosus L., C. prolixus Kunth
Lopes, A.H.C.S. 2003. Antileishmanial activity of a lin- and C. rotundus/-(VVHQW2LO5HV²
alool-rich essential from Croton cajucara. Antimicrob.

Vieira et al. / Genetic resources of aromatic plants from Brazil