To identify Asteraceae species, review the utilization and perform a preliminary phytochemical screening of some species of Eremanthus genus, plants were weekly collected in Boqueirão Ecological Reserve, located in Ingaí, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The samples were herborized and identified by using a specialized bibliography and comparison with the species available in the Herbarium ESAL of the Federal University of Lavras. The utilization review was carried out by means of bibliographical research and ethnobotanical surveys in the sampling area. Specific reagents for each group of compounds were used for phytochemical screening. From the 102 Asteraceae species investigated, 32 were reported to be of use to humans. The phytochemical screening of the hydroalcoholic extracts indicated the presence of reducing sugars, carbohydrates, amino acids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides cardiotonics, carotenoids, steroids and triterpenoids, depsides and depsidones, coumarin derivatives, soapy saponins, alkaloids, purines, polysaccharides and anthraquinones. On the other hand, organic acids, catechins, sesquiterpene lactones and azulenes were not detected.
Asteraceae; floristic survey; phytochemical screening
