Phytochemical and Biological Activity Investigation of the Essential Oil from the Bark of the Species O. Quixos (Ishpink)

This project focuses on the comprehensive characterization of the essential oil derived from the bark of Ocotea quixos, an Amazonian plant traditionally valued for its medicinal and aromatic attributes. Unlike previous studies focused on flowers and leaves, this research addresses the bark, which has shown a high percentage of secondary metabolites. The extraction methodology will employ the water and steam technique in the essential oil extraction laboratory. Chemical composition will be determined using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), complemented by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for identifying principal components. Furthermore, biological properties will be assessed through antioxidant activity assays using visible spectroscopy (DPPH, ABTS, and Beta-carotene tests). Antimicrobial activity tests will also be conducted against various bacterial strains (Gram+ and Gram-) and yeasts using the disk diffusion method. The goal is to generate fundamental knowledge about this understudied plant resource.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To generally evaluate the chemical and biological properties of the essential oil extracted from the bark of the Amazonian species Ocotea quixos (ishpink or ishpingu), an area not previously explored in scientific literature.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Chemo-biodiversity