Protium sagotianum Marchand: Chemical Profile of the Volatile Oil and Anatomical Characterization of Oil-Secreting Structures

Protium sagotianum Marchand, Burseraceae, a species native to the Amazon and Cerrado, was investigated for the anatomical characterization of oil-secreting structures, chemical profile of volatile oils, and antimicrobial activity of the fruit volatile oil. Leaves, stems, fruits, and seeds were analyzed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Ducts secreting volatile lipophilic compounds were identified in all organs analyzed. Volatile oils were obtained by hydrodistillation from seeds, fruits, fruit peels, branches, and leaves, and their volatile constituents were analyzed by GC/MS. Seed oil was characterized by a predominance of α-thujene (58.9%), whereas fruit and fruit-peel oils showed high proportions of limonene (81% and 76.7%, respectively). The leaf volatile oil was mainly composed of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, particularly germacrene B (10.9%), β-copaene (7.4%), and δ-amorphene (6.9%). In branches, α-pinene (18.1%) and ( Z )-β-ocimene (11.2%) were the major constituents. Fruits showed the highest volatile oil yield (7.8%, w/w). The antimicrobial activity of the fruit volatile oil was evaluated by broth microdilution against Candida spp., Escherichia coli , and Staphylococcus aureus . Under the experimental conditions evaluated, the fruit volatile oil showed limited antimicrobial activity. This study provides the first report on the oil-secreting structures and volatile oil chemical profile of P. sagotianum .