Essential oil analysis of 10 Piperaceae species from the Brazilian Atlantic forest

The volatile composition of ten Piperaceae species, comprising three genera (Ottonia, Piper and Peperomia) has been studied. The species were collecte d in a typical fragment of the Brazilian Atlantic forest, constantly being damaged by human action. The essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillat ion in a modified Clevenger-type apparatus and their analyses were performe d by GC and GC/MS. Identification of the substances was made by comparison of mass spectra and retention indices with literature records. A great numb er of non-oxygenated monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes were identified. Most of these sesquiterpenes are derived from EE-farnesyl-PP, suggesting a prefe rence of these species to synthesize metabolites from this pathway. Arylpro panoids, although being common compounds produced by Piperaceae species, we re not found in these oils. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.