Determinación de la composición química del aceite esencial de las hojas de Myrcianthes rhopaloides en diferentes poblaciones de la provincia de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: Essential oils are aromatic volatile liquids extracted from various parts of plants that contain compounds such as terpenoids and phenols, which possess multiple biological activities useful for the treatment of diseases. The research began with the collection of Myrcianthes rhopaloides leaves from four locations in the province of Loja, Ecuador. The essential oils were extracted from the collected leaves using steam hydrodistillation. Chemical analysis was performed using gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrophotometer and flame ionization detector coupled with gas chromatography, identifying a total of 107 compounds, with an average yield of 0.047% across the four oils. Hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes were the predominant compounds in three of the four sites, and Pinene (α-), Germacrene (B), and Caryophyllene (E)- were also found to be the highest percentage components. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the potential properties of M. rhopaloides, promoting future research on its use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.