Dados do Trabalho

Título

PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF COPAIBA OIL

Introdução

Brazil is celebrated for its diverse tropical flora, with many plants serving as traditional remedies for various ailments among indigenous communities. Copaiba trees, part of the Fabaceae family, are native to South America, thriving in regions like the Amazon rainforest and Brazilian savannas. In Brazil, there are 16 Copaifera species, including Copaifera multijuga Hayne, Copaifera langsdorffii Desf, and Copaifera cearensis Huber ex Ducke. Copaiba oils, obtained by tapping the trunks of Copaifera trees, have a long history of use among indigenous Amazonian communities, dating back to Brazil's colonial period.Copaiba oils have diverse applications, including local remedies, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-hemorrhoidal, anticarcinogenic, purgative, anti-tumor, wound-healing, and anesthetic agents. In the Brazilian Amazon, where access to conventional healthcare is limited, copaiba remains a preferred traditional remedy. Since the 15th century, copaiba oil has been widely used in Brazil for its anti-inflammatory and therapeutic properties, commonly administered orally or topically. Brazilian drug policy requires natural remedies like copaiba to undergo chemical standardization and demonstrate effectiveness and safety. Despite pharmaceutical interest in Copaifera spp. in the 1980s, comprehensive pharmacokinetic and toxicological studies were lacking, leading to the removal of Copaiba-based products from the Brazilian market. Copaiba's qualities have intrigued explorers and travelers, with evidence suggesting long-standing use by Amazonian populations.

Material e Métodos

Copaiba oil Sample was purchased in commercial shops in Viçosa-MG Brazil, and subjected to comprehensive analysis. Each analysis was performed in triplicate to ensure reliability and accuracy.

Resultados e Discussão

Ash (%) 00.019±0.00
Acid (mg NaOH/g) 6.34±0.06
Moisture (%) 0.23±0.01
Reflection index (26°C) 1.4845±0.00
Peroxide value ((mEq/kg) 5.5±0.01
Iodine value ((g I2/100 g) 64.44±0.98
Saponification (mg KOH/g) 145.92±0.11
Appearance (25 °C) Low Viscosity Liquid

Copaiba oil, containing 60.08% unsaturated fatty acids.
The research also reveals temperature's influence on copaiba oil viscosity, showing a linear increase with rising temperatures within the range of 10 to 90 °C. Copaiba oil samples exhibited hue angles of approximately 169.02°

Conclusão

The given data provide important information on the physicochemical properties of copaiba oil, which are important for assessing the quality and purity of the oil. The low ash and moisture content and relatively low peroxide value of the oil suggest that its is of good quality and purity, however, 60.08% fatty acid was discovered that why this product has caught the attention of the functional food market.