Amazon Rainforest Hidden Volatiles—Part I: Unveiling New Compounds from <i>Acmella oleracea</i> (L.) R.K. Jansen Essential Oil

Abstract

Motivated by the culinary and ethnopharmacological use of Acmella oleracea (L.) R.K. Jansen, this study aimed to unveil new chemical compounds from its essential oil (EO). Acmella oleracea, known for its anesthetic and spicy properties, has been used in traditional medicine and cuisine, particularly in Northern Brazil. Through a detailed GC-MS analysis, 180 constituents were identified, including 12 tentatively identified long-chain α-keto esters of various acids. Additionally, 18 new esters were synthesized for structural verification. This research expands the known chemical diversity of A. oleracea EO, providing a basis for potential pharmacological applications. The identification of new natural products, including homologs and analogs of acmellonate, underscores the EO’s rich chemical profile and its potential for novel bioproduct development.

Keywords

• <i>Acmella oleracea</i>
• essential oil
• esters
• NMR
• GC-MS
• structure elucidation