ABSTRACT
In this study, the main chemical components of Moquinia polymorpha (LESS.) DC. (candeia or cambará) wood were investigated. This wood is native in the Southern region of Minas Gerais - Brazil. The chemical composition was: 47.5% of α-cellulose, 25.4% of A and B hemicelluloses, 24.0% of lignin, 73.2% of holocellulose, 3.82% of ethanol:cyclohexane (1:1, v v-1) extractives, 3.21% of ethanol extractives and 4.04% of hot water extractives. The volatile composition was mainly: α-curcumene, α-dihydroturmerone, β- dihydroturmerone, cedranol, 1-cyclopentyl-3-[2,4-dimethylphenyl]propane. The total phenols analysis was carried out on methanol:water (MW) and acetone:water (AW) extracts. The last one presented better yield. The total phenols were determined by Folin-Ciocalteau and the modified Prussian blue assays. Folin- Ciocalteau yielded 0.93 mg g-1 of wood for MW extract and 1.56 for AW extract; modified Prussian blue yielded 2.74 mg g-1 of wood for MW extract and 4.42 for AW extract. Proanthocyanidins were determined by n-buthanol-acid and vanillin assays. The n-buthanol acid yielded 0.012 mg g-1 of wood for MW extract and 0.017 for AW extract; vanillin: 0.29 mg g-1 of wood for MW extract and 0.58 for AW extract. 3-deoxy- proanthocyanidins were not detected.
Keywords:
Moquinia polymorpha; total phenols; macromolecular components