Abstract

Mechanical damage, during grafting, results in the formation of reactive oxygen species, which are neutralized by the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems which may influence the essential oil composition of grafts and rootstocks because of the formation of oxygenated terpenes, substances with higher reactivity against pathogens. Various studies have demonstrated the biological activity of Annonaceae and the important pharmacological potential of the substances produced by the genus Annona. Thus, we studied the essential oils of leaves collected from the graft (Annona × atemoya) and lateral budding from the rootstock (Annona emarginata), in the same individual, in order to characterize chemical profile. The extraction was carried out by hydrodistillation and separation, quantification and identification of the substances were performed by gas chromatography coupled to a mass spectrometer. Chemical profiles of essential oils were evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA). Annona × atemoya and Annona emarginata presented chemical profiles of essential oil with specific substances. Some substances are common in oils of both species. Germacrene D is predominant in Annona × atemoya and α and β-selinene, β-elemene and spathulenol occurred in Annona emarginata. Our results suggest that the profile of such essential oil may be another indicator for the success of the combination of these two species.

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