Influence of time of collection, geographic orientation and canopy on the production of essential oil Cordia verbenacea DC

Abstract

The species Cordia verbenacea DC. (Boraginaceae), known popularly as “Whaling Herb,” has been widely studied in relation to its pharmacological properties, and studies have confirmed its potential as an anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-ulcerogenic remedy. The objective was to verify the content of essential oil in shoots of C. verbenacea resulting from the influence of geographic orientation, canopy and harvesting time. Leaves were taken from mother plants of the Medicinal Garden of ICA / UFMG in April 2009, and then subjected to extraction of essential oil by hydrodistillation method using Clevenger apparatus. Two experiments were conducted in randomized complete block design with five replications. The variable time of collection (8, 9, 12, 15 and 18h) was fitted to polynomial regressions for geographical orientation (north, south, east and west) and canopy (upper, middle and basal) using a 4 x 3 factorial arrangement (four geographical orientations and three canopies). The essential oil content was expressed on the basis of the dry matter of the sample. A significant interaction for both factors evaluated and the highest levels of oil were obtained in the north and south geographical orientations and collection time of 18:00h.

Keywords

• Cordia verbenacea
• Essential oil production
• Medicinal plants