Foliar Structural Aspects and Essential Oil Yield of Two Croton L. Species (Euphorbiaceae) from the Amazon

Croton cajucara Benth. and C. sacaquinha Croizat are known as “sacaca” and “sacaquinha”, respectively in the Amazon region. Both species are used in Amazon folk medicine for their pharmacological potential, associated mainly with rich phytochemical properties of leaves and essential oil. Aiming to identify and determine the number of secretory structures related to essential oil yield, leaves were harvested in the medicinal plant garden of Embrapa Amazonia Oriental, Belem, Pará, Brazil, and were submitted to microscopy techniques and essential oil extraction. The species presented differences in trichome types and frequency, as well as essential oil yield. Furthermore, a positive relationship between frequency of secretory trichomes and essential oil yield was observed. The results obtained highlight the potential of Croton species to provide oils and could represent a viable alternative for sustainable exploration and a source of income for Amazonian communities.