Effect of natural and artificial drying of leaf biomassof Psidium guajava on the content and chemical composition of essential oil

• Published in: Semina. Ciências agrárias : revista cultural e científica da Universidade Estadual de Londrina Vol. 37; no. 5; pp. 3059 - 3068
• Main Authors: Silva, Elizabeth Aparecida Josefi da, Silva, Vanessa Paula da, Alves, Cassia Cristina Fernandes, Alves, José Milton, Souchie, Edson Luiz, Barbosa, Luiz Cláudio Almeida
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Estadual de Londrina 26-10-2016
• Subjects: Goiabeira; Hidrodestilação; Myrtaceae; Plantas medicinais
• ISSN: 1676-546X; 1679-0359
• DOI: 10.5433/1679-0359.2016v37n5p3059

Psidium guajava L. is native to Central and South America. It is widely distributed and well adapted to Brazil, a producer of essential oils rich in terpenes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of natural and artificial drying on the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of guava leaves (Psidium guajava L.) grown in Rio Verde (GO). The two treatments consisted of drying fresh leaves either naturally in the shade or artificially at 40°C. Chemical composition was analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively by gas coupled with mass spectrometer chromatography (GC/MS) and gas chromatography using a flame ionizer (GC-FID), respectively. The method of drying changed the content and chemical composition of the essential oil of guava leaves. Drying in the shade reduced the content and altered the constituents of the essential oil, whereas drying in an oven at 40°C, despite having reduced the amounts of the constituents, exhibited the highest essential oil content and increased the concentration of certain major constituents as compared to that in the natural shade drying method. The major components found in the essential oil of leaves regardless of the drying processes were trans-caryophyllene, ?-humulene, aromadendrene, ?-selinene, and selin-11-en-4?-ol. According to reports in the literature, these compounds possess fungicidal, insecticidal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory activity, among others beneficial actions.