Brazil presents the highest vegetable genetic diversity of the world. Among the native plants of Brazil is some species of genus Baccharis (Asteraceae family) and popularly known as "carqueja". This medicinal specie has been used as diuretic, tonic, digestive, protective and stimulate of the liver, antianemic, anti-rheumatic, obesity control, diabetes, hepatitis and gastroenteritis. Samples of two different populations of plants were collected in a privet property in Paty do Alferes district (Rio de Janeiro State) in 11/2010, and dried at room temperature (28ºC +- 2) at shade conditions. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation (Clevenger-type apparatus) for 4h and analyzed by GC-MS (Shimadzu, QP 5050-DB-5 capillary column - 30mx0.25µmx0.25mm). Carrier gas was Helium (1.7mL/min); split ratio: 1:30. Temperature program: 60º C - 240º C (3ºC/ min), rising to 240ºC at 3ºC/min. Injector temperature: 240ºC and detector temperature: 230ºC. Identifications of chemical compounds were made by matching their mass spectra and Kovat's indices (IK) values with known compounds reported in the literature. Were found 19 compounds in these essential oils. The major compound founded was trans-caryophyllene (22.0 % and 18.1%), followed by germacrene-D (7.0%), bicyclogermacrene (8.5%), ledol (13.7%), spathulenol (13.8% and 20.7%) and caryophyllene oxide (8.3% and 12.0%). Carquejol and carquejyl acetate were not observed in these essential oil. These results showed that these samples present similar chemical composition and they can be the same vegetal specie (B. crispa/ B cylindrica).
Baccharis; trans-caryophyllene; spathulenol; hydrodistillation
