Chemical Analysis of Solid Tree Resins of Protium Heptaphyllum and Protium Icicariba

Research Article

J Plant Chem and Ecophysiol. 2024; 4(1): 1024.

Chemical Analysis of Solid Tree Resins of Protium Heptaphyllum and Protium Icicariba

Lumír Ondřej Hanuš¹*; Yoav Giladi²; Maria Luiza Ammirabile Martins (Tuca)²

¹Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem 91120, Israel

²Independent Researcher, Israel

*Corresponding author: Lumír Ondřej Hanuš, Institute for Drug Research, School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Ein Kerem Campus, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Tel: +972-2-6439935 Email: lumirh@ekmd.huji.ac.il

Received: December 04, 2024; Accepted: December 19, 2024 Published: December 26, 2024

Abstract

Solid tree resins of Protium heptaphyllum and Protium icicariba were studied and analyzed volatile compounds compared. The absence of sabinene in the resin of the tree Protium icicariba is the main distinguishing feature.

Keywords: Protium heptaphyllum; Protium icicariba; Resin; Volatile compound; Terpenes; GC/MS

Introduction

Protium icicariba, commonly known as "Almescar" or "Icica," is a tropical tree native to South America, particularly found in the Amazon Rainforest. It is renowned for its resin, which has been traditionally used by indigenous communities for its medicinal properties and as an incense ingredient.

Protium heptaphyllum, often referred to as "Breu Branco”, “Mel Branco”, “Almesca” or "Almécega," is another tree species found in the Amazon Rainforest, and the Atlantic rainforest. It is well-known for producing a fragrant resin called "Breu" or "White Breu," which is used in traditional healing practices and as incense in spiritual rituals.

Both Protium icicariba and Protium heptaphyllum play significant roles in the cultural and traditional practices of indigenous peoples in their respective regions. Their resins have a long history of use for spiritual and medicinal purposes and continue to be valued for their aromatic and therapeutic qualities.

Almescar, also known as Breu Branco, is a fascinating resin (Figure 1) extracted from trees of the genus Protium, which are found in the Amazon rainforest, predominantly within Brazil. This resin has been an integral part of indigenous cultures for centuries, serving various traditional uses ranging from medicinal applications to spiritual practices. Almescar (Breu Branco) is particularly valued for its distinctive, pleasant aroma and its wide range of beneficial properties.

Figure 1: Resin secreted from the bark of Protium heptaphyllum.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 1: Resin secreted from the bark of Protium heptaphyllum.

Extraction and Uses

The resin is traditionally harvested by making incisions in the tree's bark, allowing the sap to exude and harden into a resinous mass. This method of extraction is sustainable, as it does not harm the tree when done correctly, and allows for continuous harvesting from the same individual over many years (Figure 1).

Almescar resin is known for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and gastroprotective properties [1-3], making it a valuable resource in traditional medicine for treating wounds, skin infections, and various other health issues. It is also used in aromatherapy due to its calming and grounding scent.

Environmental and Economic Impact

The sustainable harvesting of Almescar resin can have positive environmental and economic impacts. It provides a renewable resource that encourages the preservation of the Amazon rainforest and its biodiversity. Economically, it supports local communities by creating income opportunities that are aligned with the conservation of their natural environment. There's a growing interest in nontimber forest products like Almescar resin, as they offer a way to value the standing forest, providing an alternative to logging and other destructive practices.

Scientific Research

Protium heptaphyllum was for the first time published by Marchand [4] in 1873 and Protium icicariba by the same author [5] in 1867. Research into Almescar and other Amazonian resins is ongoing, with scientists exploring their potential applications in modern medicine and industry.

In this study we collected resin samples (Figure 2–5) of Protium heptaphyllum and Protium icicariba from different sources (Figure 6). We analyzed their chemical compositions and made a comparison of the results.

Figure 2: Almescar Sample 1 Botanical name: Protium heptaphyllum Originated from: Caraíva - Bahia, Brazil Sample type: fresh resin.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 2: Almescar Sample 1 Botanical name: Protium heptaphyllum
Originated from: Caraíva - Bahia, Brazil
Sample type: fresh resin.

Figure 3: Almescar Sample 2 Botanical name: Protium heptaphyllum Originated from: Jambreiro-Bahia Brazil.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 3: Almescar Sample 2 Botanical name: Protium heptaphyllum
Originated from: Jambreiro-Bahia Brazil.

Figure 4: Almescar Sample 3 Botanical name: Protium icicariba Originated from: caraíva Bahia Brazil Sample type: fresh resin.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 4: Almescar Sample 3 Botanical name: Protium icicariba Originated
from: caraíva Bahia Brazil Sample type: fresh resin.

Figure 5: Almescar Sample 4 Botanical name: Protium icicariba Originated Belém- Pará Brazil Sample type: dry after curing.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 5: Almescar Sample 4 Botanical name: Protium icicariba
Originated Belém- Pará Brazil Sample type: dry after curing.

Figure 6: Illustration of the map of Brazil showing: location A where samples 1-3 were collected and location B where sample 4 was collected.

    

    
    

    

    Figure 6: Illustration of the map of Brazil showing: location A where
samples 1-3 were collected and location B where sample 4 was collected.

Materials And Methods

Plant Materials

(Figure 2 to Figure 6)

Sample Preparation

120 mg of tree resin was used for analysis. Headspace gas chromatography/ mass spectroscopy analysis was used for the indirect determination of volatile constituents in solid samples by analyzing the associated vapor phase. Analytical method validation - selectivity, specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, ruggedness, and robustness are beyond the scope of this manuscript and will be published elsewhere.

General Experimental Procedures

Experimental conditions: For the GC/MS analysis, we employed an Agilent 7890B GC combined with an Agilent 5977B MSD and a PAL 3 (RSI 85) chromatograph. The column used was HP-5MS UI, 30 m × 0.25 mm with a film thickness of 0.25 μm, provided by Agilent Technologies, Inc. The analytical conditions were set with the column initially held at 35°C for 5 min. Subsequently, the temperature was programmed to rise from 35°C to 150°C at a rate of 5°C/min, then increasing by 15°C/min to 250°C, with a hold time of 90 min. The specific settings were as follows: Inlet temperature at 250°C, detector temperature at 280°C, split injection ratio of 1:5, initial temperature at 100°C, and initial time set to 4.0 min. Helium was used as the carrier gas with a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Incubation time: 6 min; Incubation temperature: 80ºC.

Identification

For compound detection and identification, we referenced various standards, retention times, and retention indices (Chromatogram 1,2, Table 1; Chromatogram 3,4, Table 2). Additionally, we consulted multiple libraries: NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectral Library 2017, Wiley Registry of Mass Spectral Data 11th Edition, FFNSC3, © 2015, and the Adams EO library, Mass Spectral Library, containing 2205 compounds. The identification of volatile compounds in the samples was based on a comparison of their mass spectra and retention times, along with their Kovats retention indices, either to those of injected standards or by referencing the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Mass Spectral Library database.

Chromatogram 1: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 1 (Protium heptaphyllum).

    

    
    

    

    Chromatogram 1: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 1 (Protium
heptaphyllum).

Chromatogram 2: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 2 (Protium heptaphyllum).

    

    
    

    

    Chromatogram 2: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 2 (Protium
heptaphyllum).

Chromatogram 3: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 3 (Protium icicariba).

    

    
    

    

    Chromatogram 3: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 3 (Protium
icicariba).

Chromatogram 4: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 4 (Protium icicariba).

    

    
    

    

    Chromatogram 4: GC/MS chromatogram of the sample 4 (Protium icicariba).

Table 1: Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand - concentrations of content compounds (% of total).





  

    
No

    
RT

    
Compound

    
1

    
2 

  

  

    
%

    
%

  

  

    
1

    
2.301

    
2-methyl-3-butene-2-ol

    
    
0.06

  

  

    
2

    
3.864

    
3-ethyl-2,2-dimethyloxirane

    
    
0.03

  

  

    
3

    
6.205

    
3-methyl-2-butenal

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
4

    
6.758

    
hexenal

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
5

    
8.025

    
3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclopentene

    
0.03

    
0.07

  

  

    
6

    
11.368

    
tricyclene

    
0.12

    
0.17

  

  

    
7

    
11.52

    
cumene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
8

    
11.68

    
α-thujene

    
0.35

    
0.79

  

  

    
9

    
12.025

    
α-pinene

    
44.62

    
45.68

  

  

    
10

    
12.37

    
camphene

    
1.08

    
1.54

  

  

    
11

    
12.594

    
dehydrosabinene

    
0.4

    
0.47

  

  

    
12

    
13.428

    
sabinene

    
21.43

    
28.05

  

  

    
13

    
13.484

    
β-pinene

    
8.78

    
6.28

  

  

    
14

    
13.901

    
6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one

    
    
0.01

  

  

    
15

    
14.205

    
trans-p-menth-2-ene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
16

    
14.422

    
α-phellandrene

    
    
0.12

  

  

    
17

    
14.614

    
o-methyl-anisole

    
0.04

    
0.09

  

  

    
18

    
14.847

    
α-terpinene

    
0.32

    
0.26

  

  

    
19

    
15.175

    
p-cymene

    
0.83

    
1.12

  

  

    
20

    
15.288

    
limonene

    
0.67

    
0.81

  

  

    
21

    
15.352

    
1,8-cineole

    
0.56

    
0.93

  

  

    
22

    
16.29

    
γ-terpinene

    
0.43

    
0.42

  

  

    
23

    
16.546

    
cis-sabinene hydrate

    
0.59

    
1.43

  

  

    
24

    
17.332

    
2-(2,2,4-trimethyl-1-cyclopent-3-enyl)acetaldehyde

    
0.17

    
0.13

  

  

    
25

    
17.644

    
linalool

    
0.01

    
0.02

  

  

    
26

    
17.813

    
3-thujen-2-ol

    
    
0.25

  

  

    
27

    
18.157

    
β-thujone

    
0.01

    
0.01

  

  

    
28

    
18.246

    
dehydrosabinaketone

    
    
0.04

  

  

    
29

    
18.454

    
α-campholenal

    
0.91

    
0.63

  

  

    
30

    
18.839

    
trans-pinocarveol

    
0.47

    
0.36

  

  

    
31

    
19.015

    
camphor

    
1.66

    
1.83

  

  

    
32

    
19.36

    
3-thujen-2-one

    
0.09

    
0.07

  

  

    
33

    
19.424

    
sabina ketone

    
0.2

    
0.16

  

  

    
34

    
19.512

    
pinocamphone

    
0.04

    
0.03

  

  

    
35

    
19.584

    
pinocarvone

    
    
0.35

  

  

    
36

    
19.673

    
endo-borneol

    
0.52

    
0.37

  

  

    
37

    
20.049

    
terpinen-4-ol

    
0.31

    
0.13

  

  

    
38

    
20.434

    
α-terpineol

    
0.05

    
0.03

  

  

    
39

    
20.61

    
myrtenal

    
0.62

    
0.43

  

  

    
40

    
20.987

    
verbenone

    
0.4

    
0.32

  

  

    
41

    
21.26

    
trans-carveol

    
0.13

    
0.08

  

  

    
42

    
21.861

    
cumin aldehyde

    
0.04

    
0.03

  

  

    
43

    
21.989

    
carvone

    
0.01

    
0.01

  

  

    
44

    
22.142

    
2,5-dimethoxytoluene

    
    
0.03

  

  

    
45

    
23.192

    
bornyl acetate

    
0.16

    
0.15

  

  

    
46

    
23.616

    
undecanal

    
0.03

    
  

  

    
47

    
24.603

    
δ-elemene

    
    
0.01

  

  

    
48

    
24.931

    
α-cubebene

    
    
0.03

  

  

    
49

    
25.3

    
butoxyethoxyethyl    acetate

    
0.28

    
  

  

    
50

    
25.42

    
cyclosativene

    
    
0.03

  

  

    
51

    
25.637

    
copaene

    
0.51

    
0.49

  

  

    
52

    
25.741

    
daucene

    
    
0.06

  

  

    
53

    
25.885

    
α-bourbonene

    
0.06

    
0.07

  

  

    
54

    
26.005

    
β-cubebene

    
0.06

    
  

  

    
55

    
26.054

    
β-elemene

    
    
  

  

    
56

    
26.286

    
cyperene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
57

    
26.126

    
tetradecane

    
0.04

    
  

  

    
58

    
26.374

    
dodecanal

    
0.1

    
  

  

    
59

    
26.631

    
β-ylangene

    
    
0.01

  

  

    
60

    
26.968

    
sibirene

    
    
0.01

  

  

    
61

    
27.368

    
guaia-6,9-diene

    
0.07

    
0.04

  

  

    
62

    
27.833

    
9-epi-(E)-caryophyllene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
63

    
28.026

    
dodecanol

    
0.22

    
  

  

    
64

    
28.202

    
γ-muurolene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
65

    
28.282

    
α-amorphene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
66

    
28.443

    
β-selinene

    
0.05

    
0.06

  

  

    
67

    
28.531

    
δ-selinene

    
0.02

    
0.02

  

  

    
68

    
28.603

    
pentadecane

    
0.11

    
  

  

    
69

    
28.627

    
α-selinene

    
    
0.02

  

  

    
70

    
28.715

    
α-muurolene

    
0.01

    
0.03

  

  

    
71

    
28.996

    
γ-cadinene

    
0.01

    
0.03

  

  

    
72

    
29.148

    
δ-cadinene

    
0.11

    
0.08

  

  

    
73

    
29.268

    
dauca-4(11),8-diene

    
    
  

  

    
74

    
29.468

    
cis-dracunculifoliol

    
0.14

    
  

  

    
75

    
30.639

    
isopropyl laurate

    
1.6

    
  

  

    
76

    
31.408

    
lauryl acrylate

    
0.49

    
  

  

    
77

    
31.473

    
heptadecane

    
0.25

    
  

  

    
78

    
32.443

    
octadecane

    
0.13

    
  

  

    
79

    
33.493

    
14-methyl-pentadecanoic acid methyl ester

    
0.04

    
  

  

    
    
    
    
90.80%

    
94.90%

  










Table 1: Protium heptaphyllum (Aubl.) Marchand - concentrations of content
compounds (% of total).

Table 2: Protium icicariba (DC.) Marchand - concentrations of content compounds (% of total) in samples 3 and 4.





  

    
No

    
RT

    
Compound

    
3 

    
4 

    
RI

  

  

    
%

    
%

  

  

    
1

    
5.459

    
toluene

    
0.04

    
0.07

    
763

  

  

    
2

    
6.229

    
3-methyl-2-butenal

    
    
0.01

    
782

  

  

    
3

    
8

    
3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclopentene

    
0.08

    
    
857

  

  

    
4

    
10.726

    
bornylene

    
    
0.02

    
906

  

  

    
5

    
11.247

    
5,5-dimethyl-1-vinylbicyclo[2.1.1]hexane

    
    
0.02

    
921

  

  

    
6

    
11.351

    
tricyclene

    
0.19

    
0.07

    
925

  

  

    
7

    
11.512

    
cumene

    
    
0.02

    
927

  

  

    
8

    
11.616

    
α-thujene

    
1.79

    
1.56

    
929

  

  

    
9

    
11.856

    
α-pinene

    
66.61

    
20.43

    
937

  

  

    
10

    
12.345

    
camphene

    
1.89

    
1.74

    
952

  

  

    
11

    
12.586

    
dehydrosabinene

    
0.64

    
0.05

    
956

  

  

    
12

    
13.388

    
β-pinene

    
12.25

    
3.22

    
979

  

  

    
13

    
13.7

    
trans-p-menth-2-ene

    
0.04

    
0.04

    
981

  

  

    
14

    
13.901

    
6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one

    
    
0.04

    
986

  

  

    
15

    
14.277

    
Δ2-carene

    
    
0

    
1001

  

  

    
16

    
14.43

    
α-phellandrene

    
    
13.05

    
1005

  

  

    
17

    
14.606

    
Δ3-carene

    
0.13

    
0.24

    
1011

  

  

    
18

    
14.847

    
α-terpinene

    
    
2.06

    
1017

  

  

    
19

    
15.007

    
p-ment-1-ene

    
    
0.05

    
1025

  

  

    
20

    
15.191

    
p-cymene

    
2.67

    
39.5

    
1025

  

  

    
21

    
15.239

    
limonene

    
0.68

    
    
1030

  

  

    
22

    
15.296

    
β-phellandrene

    
    
7.73

    
1031

  

  

    
23

    
15.352

    
1,8-cineole

    
1.35

    
1.99

    
1032

  

  

    
24

    
15.64

    
cis-β-ocimene

    
    
0

    
1038

  

  

    
25

    
16.29

    
γ-terpinene

    
0.06

    
0.09

    
1060

  

  

    
26

    
16.554

    
cis-sabinene hydrate

    
0.32

    
0.06

    
1070

  

  

    
27

    
17.252

    
terpinolene

    
    
0.17

    
1088

  

  

    
28

    
17.324

    
2-(2,2,4-trimethyl-1-cyclopent-3-enyl)acetaldehyde

    
0.08

    
    
  

  

    
29

    
17.821

    
3-thujen-2-ol

    
0.61

    
0.03

    
1107

  

  

    
30

    
18.149

    
β-thujone

    
0.11

    
    
1114

  

  

    
31

    
18.462

    
α-campholenal

    
0.6

    
0.03

    
1125

  

  

    
32

    
18.823

    
trans-pinocarveol

    
0.75

    
    
1139

  

  

    
33

    
18.911

    
verbenol

    
0.16

    
    
1140

  

  

    
34

    
19.007

    
camphor

    
    
0.89

    
1142

  

  

    
35

    
19.32

    
menthone

    
    
0

    
1154

  

  

    
36

    
19.52

    
pinocamphone

    
0.08

    
0.02

    
1160

  

  

    
37

    
19.592

    
pinocarvone

    
0.29

    
0.02

    
1164

  

  

    
38

    
19.68

    
borneol

    
0.19

    
0.01

    
1166

  

  

    
39

    
19.937

    
cis-pinocamphone

    
0.22

    
0.01

    
1173

  

  

    
40

    
20.033

    
terpinen-4-ol

    
0.07

    
0.03

    
1177

  

  

    
41

    
20.258

    
p-cymen-8-ol

    
0.07

    
0.14

    
1183

  

  

    
42

    
20.426

    
α-terpineol

    
0.12

    
0.09

    
1189

  

  

    
43

    
20.61

    
myrtenal

    
0.56

    
0.05

    
1193

  

  

    
44

    
20.795

    
homomyrtenol

    
0.06

    
    
1194

  

  

    
45

    
20.995

    
verbenone

    
0.88

    
0.02

    
1205

  

  

    
46

    
21.252

    
trans-carveol

    
0.07

    
    
1217

  

  

    
47

    
21.725

    
thymol methyl ether

    
    
0.01

    
1235

  

  

    
48

    
21.869

    
cumin aldehyde

    
0.03

    
0.07

    
1239

  

  

    
49

    
21.981

    
carvone

    
0.03

    
    
1242

  

  

    
50

    
21.989

    
carvacrol methyl ether

    
    
0.03

    
1244

  

  

    
51

    
22.101

    
carvotanacetone

    
    
0.03

    
1246

  

  

    
52

    
22.158

    
thymoquinone

    
    
0.02

    
1250

  

  

    
53

    
22.133

    
2,5-dimethoxytoluene

    
0.05

    
    
1251

  

  

    
54

    
22.286

    
piperitone

    
    
0.07

    
1253

  

  

    
55

    
22.615

    
3,5-dimethoxytoluene

    
    
0.01

    
1274

  

  

    
56

    
23.184

    
bornyl acetate

    
0.08

    
    
1285

  

  

    
57

    
23.288

    
p-cymen-7-ol

    
    
0.03

    
1289

  

  

    
58

    
23.577

    
carvacrol

    
    
0.03

    
1299

  

  

    
59

    
24.603

    
δ-elemene

    
    
0.01

    
1338

  

  

    
60

    
24.931

    
α-cubebene

    
    
0.87

    
1351

  

  

    
61

    
25.428

    
cyclosativene

    
    
0.01

    
1368

  

  

    
62

    
25.525

    
ylangene

    
    
0.15

    
1372

  

  

    
63

    
25.645

    
copaene

    
0.03

    
0.79

    
1376

  

  

    
64

    
25.741

    
daucene

    
    
0

    
1381

  

  

    
65

    
25.893

    
α-bourbonene

    
0.09

    
0.03

    
1384

  

  

    
66

    
26.014

    
β-cubebene

    
    
0.38

    
1389

  

  

    
67

    
26.286

    
cyperene

    
    
0.39

    
1399

  

  

    
68

    
26.535

    
α-gurjunene

    
0.01

    
0.05

    
1409

  

  

    
69

    
26.879

    
γ-maaliene

    
0.02

    
    
1435

  

  

    
70

    
27.16

    
α-bergamotene

    
    
0.03

    
1435

  

  

    
71

    
27.248

    
α-guaiene

    
    
0.01

    
1439

  

  

    
72

    
27.368

    
guaia-6,9-diene

    
0.04

    
    
1450

  

  

    
73

    
27.649

    
α-humulene

    
    
0.03

    
1454

  

  

    
74

    
28.202

    
γ-muurolene

    
    
0.13

    
1477

  

  

    
75

    
28.314

    
α-curcumene

    
    
0.02

    
1483

  

  

    
76

    
28.442

    
β-selinene

    
0.04

    
0.03

    
1486

  

  

    
77

    
28.523

    
δ-selinene

    
0.01

    
    
1490

  

  

    
78

    
28.627

    
α-selinene

    
0.02

    
    
1494

  

  

    
79

    
28.715

    
α-muurolene

    
0.02

    
0.16

    
1499

  

  

    
80

    
28.996

    
γ-cadinene

    
0.02

    
0.05

    
1513

  

  

    
81

    
29.156

    
δ-cadinene

    
0.03

    
0.18

    
1524

  

  

    
82

    
29.316

    
cadina-1,4-diene

    
    
0

    
1533

  

  

    
83

    
29.509

    
α-calacorene

    
    
0.01

    
1542

  

  

    
84

    
29.837

    
β-calacorene

    
    
0

    
1563

  

  

    
85

    
30.158

    
caryophyllene oxide

    
    
0.06

    
1581

  

  

    
86

    
30.527

    
humulene epoxide I

    
    
0.01

    
1604

  

  

    
87

    
30.968

    
δ-cadinol

    
    
0.02

    
1645

  

  

    
    
    
    
94.15%

    
97.50%

    
  










Table 2: Protium icicariba (DC.) Marchand - concentrations of content
compounds (% of total) in samples 3 and 4.

Commercially available standards for α-pinene, camphene, β-pinene, myrcene, Δ3-carene, α-terpinene, p-cymene, limonene, 1,8-cineole, α-ocimene, trans-β-ocimene, γ-terpinene, terpinolene, linalool, isopulegol, geraniol, β-caryophyllene, α-humulene, cis-nerolidol, trans-nerolidol, caryophyllene oxide, guaiol, and α-bisabolol were obtained from Restek (Bellefonte, PA, USA).

Results

All samples contained high amounts of pinene (α and β). Both samples of P. heptaphyllum contained high amounts of sabinene while the two samples of P. icicariba did not revealed any sabinene. Sample 4 of P. icicariba contained a unique chemical composition with high amounts of p-cymene and α- and β-phellandrene.

As we did not have all the main compounds as standards, it was impossible to quantify all these volatiles exactly. Percentage compositions (in Tables as % were obtained from electronic integration measurements without considering relative response factors).

(Chromatogram 1 to 4 & Table 1 & 2)

Discussion

Previous studies suggest that the outcomes of resin analysis are influenced by multiple factors, including the freshness of the sample, preservation methods, processing techniques (e.g., steam distillation, hydrodistillation, organic solvent extraction), seasonal variation, and the geographic origin of the collected samples. These variables significantly impact the chemical composition of the resin..In resin produced by Protium heptaphyllum, the predominant terpenes and terpenoids identified in previous studies include limonene [6-8], terpinolene [9-14], p-cymene [13,15-17], and p-cymen-8-ol [7,9,11- 13], with α-pinene [10,13-15], 1,8-cineole [3,7,8,18], α-phellandrene [8,10,13,18], and sabinene [3,7-10,15,18] observed in smaller concentrations.Protium icicariba has only been analyzed in three scientific papers. Siani et al. [19] analyzed the essential oils from the oleoresin in three different years.

The main compounds were p-cymene (20-40%), p-cymen-8-ol (10-26%), terpinolene (5.8-31.0%), limonene (5.8-8.0%), α-pinene (5.6-7.7%), and sabinene (1.6-2.3%). Pereira et al. [20] studied dehiscent/indehiscent ripe fruits and found as the main compounds E-β-ocimene (31.07/28.14%), α-fenchene (27.67/12.83%), limonene (16.10/21.29%), and α-phellandrene (8.86/12.50%). da Paz Lima et al. [21] found in Protium icicariba lupeol, and α- and β-amyrin.

(Table 3)

Table 3: The main compounds and the main differences in samples of P. heptaphyllum and P. icicariba.





  

    
    
P. heptaphyllum sample 1 (%)

    
P. heptaphyllum

    
P. icicariba

    
P. icicariba

    
RI 

  

  

    
    
sample 2 (%)

    
sample 3 (%)

    
sample 4 (%)

  

  

    
α-thujene

    
0.35

    
0.79

    
1.79

    
1.56

    
929

  

  

    
α-pinene

    
44.62

    
45.68

    
66.61

    
20.43

    
937

  

  

    
camphene

    
1.08

    
1.54

    
1.89

    
1.74

    
952

  

  

    
sabinene

    
21.43

    
28.05

    
0

    
0

    
974

  

  

    
β-pinene

    
8.78

    
6.28

    
12.25

    
3.22

    
979

  

  

    
α-phellandrene

    
0

    
0.12

    
0

    
13.05

    
1005

  

  

    
p-cymene

    
0.83

    
1.12

    
2.67

    
39.5

    
1025

  

  

    
limonene

    
0.67

    
0.81

    
0.68

    
0

    
1030

  

  

    
β-phellandrene

    
0

    
0

    
0

    
7.73

    
1031

  

  

    
1,8-cineole

    
0.56

    
0.93

    
1.35

    
1.99

    
1032

  

  

    
cis-sabinene hydrate

    
0.59

    
1.43

    
0.32

    
0.06

    
1070

  

  

    
terpinolene

    
0

    
0

    
0

    
0.17

    
1088

  

  

    
camphor

    
1.66

    
1.83

    
0

    
0.89

    
1142

  

  

    
isopropyl laurate

    
1.6

    
0

    
0

    
0

    
1618

  










Table 3: The main compounds and the main differences in samples of P. heptaphyllum and P. icicariba.

The evaluation and the ranking of the most prominent substances in all four samples is compared in Table 3. All four samples contained very high amounts of α-pinene and high amounts of β-pinene. Both samples of P. heptaphyllum contained high amounts of sabinene while the two P. icicariba samples contained no sabinene at all. P. icicariba sample 4 contained a unique chemical composition with high amounts of p-cymene and α- and β-phellandrene. Some compounds reported in previous studies, such as limonene [6-8] terpinolene [9-14], and p-cymen-8-ol [7,9,11-13], were found in negligible concentrations or were not detected in our samples. This discrepancy may stem from factors beyond sample processing, such as genetic variability, environmental conditions, or differences in collection and preservation methods.

The research of these substances in P. heptaphyllum and P. icicariba deserves greater attention due to the frequent use of their resins in indigenous cultures. Further research is essential to fully explore their chemical composition and potential applications.

Author Statements

Conflict of Interest Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

References

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Citation: Hanus LO, Giladi Y, Martins MLA. Chemical Analysis of Solid Tree Resins of Protium Heptaphyllum and Protium Icicariba. J Plant Chem and Ecophysiol. 2024; 4(1): 1024.