Production and essential oil quality of Varroniacurassavica DC.submitted to different spacing between plants, harvest season and drying temperatures of leaves

ABSTRACT: Varroniacurassavica is a Brazilian native medicinal species. Among the critical points influencing the phytochemical quality of bioactive compounds is the spacing between plants, harvest and post-harvest. This research aimed evaluated the influence of plant distance, harvest season, and leaves drying temperature on the yield and phytochemical quality of V. curassavica essential oil. The organic cultivation was carried out in 2018/2019 using 0.6 x 1.0; 0.8 x 1.0; 1.0 x 1.0; 1.0 x 1.6 m spacing between plants. The macro and micronutrient contents of the leaves were evaluated and no considerable changes were observed. In 2018 the harvest was performed in summer, autumn, and winter, and the harvested leaves were immediately submitted to the drying process at 40 °C. In 2019 the harvest was performed in winter, and the leaves were submitted to the drying process at 40, 50, and 60 °C. The essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation and the chemical constituents were evaluated using CG-MS. The essential oil yield was significantly higher in winter and used 0.8 x 1.0 m and 1.0 x 1.0 m spacing between plants. The alpha-humulene content remained within the recommended standards at all analyzed temperatures. Although, the drying temperatures tested did not compromise the alpha-humulene content, the increasing temperature caused a reduction in the essential oil yield. Thus, it is recommended for the organic cultivation of V. currassavica the spacing of 0.8 x 1.0 m and 1.0 m x 1.0 m, and the drying of its leaves between 40 and 50 °C to earn the highest essential oil yield and phytochemical quality.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Fonseca,Maira Christina Marques, Sediyama,Maria Aparecida Nogueira, Pinto,Cláudia Lúcia de Oliveira, Sartoratto,Adilson, Machado,Tulio Iglesias, Dores,Rosana Gonçalves Rodrigues das, Zotti-Sperotto,Naiara Cristina, Donzeles,Sérgio Maurício Lopes, Silva,Andreia Fonseca, Neves,Yonara Poltronieri
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Universidade Federal de Santa Maria 2023
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782023000600402
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!