Secondary metabolites in four forest species of Amazonian fragments

Abstract

The rapid loss of natural habitats in the Amazon increases the importance of research with plants of medicinal potential. The aim of this study was to identify abundant tree species in two Amazon forest fragments and to qualify their secondary compounds. Two forest areas (fragments I and II) in the southern Amazon region, were selected for this species identification. All arboreal individuals with diameter trunks greater than 10 cm were measured and identified in ten plots, five per fragment. The four most abundant species were identified, and their alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and tannins were phytochemically screened. Seven hundred and seventy-four trees were sampled, with Protium altissimum, Metrodorea flavida, Rinoreocarpus ulei and Cheiloclinium cognatum. being the most abundant ones. All the metabolites evaluated were present in P. altissimum and C. cognatum in both fragments. Flavonoids were absent in M. flavida in fragment I, and R. ulei had saponin in both forest fragments and alkaloids only in the II. These four Amazonian tree species have secondary metabolites with medicinal importance, which can be extracted in sustainable management.