Study Of Macromolecular Constituents, Volatile Extractives And Phenolics From Candeia Wood - Moquinia Polymorpha (Less.) Dc.

In this study, the main chemical components of Moquinia polymorpha (LESS.) DC. (candeia or cambara) wood were investigated. This wood is native in the Southern region of Minas Gerais - Brazil. The chemical composition was: 47.5% of alpha-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: alpha-curcumene, alpha-dihydroturmerone, beta-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-deoxyproanthocyanidins were not detected.