Essential Oil Chemotypes and Genetic Variability of Cinnamomum verum Leaf Samples Commercialized and Cultivated in the Amazon

Abstract

Cinnamomum verum (Lauraceae), also known as “true cinnamon” or “Ceylon cinnamon” has been widely used in traditional folk medicine and cuisine for a long time. The systematics of C. verum presents some difficulties due to genetic variation and morphological similarity between other Cinnamomum species. The present work aimed to find chemical and molecular markers of C. verum samples from the Amazon region of Brazil. The leaf EOs and the genetic material (DNA) were extracted from samples cultivated and commercial samples. The chemical composition of the essential oils from samples of C. verum cultivated (Cve1-Cve5) and commercial (Cve6-c-Cv9-c) was grouped by multivariate statistical analysis of Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The major compounds were rich in benzenoids and phenylpropanoids, such as eugenol (0.7–91.0%), benzyl benzoate (0.28–76.51%), (E)-cinnamyl acetate (0.36–32.1%), and (E)-cinnamaldehyde (1.0–19.73%). DNA barcodes were developed for phylogenetic analysis using the chloroplastic regions of the matK and rbcL genes, and psbA-trnH intergenic spacer. The psbA-trnH sequences provided greater diversity of nucleotides, and matK confirmed the identity of C. verum. The combination of DNA barcode and volatile profile was found to be an important tool for the discrimination of C. verum varieties and to examine the authenticity of industrial sources.

Assessing essential oil composition in Cinnamomum cassia leaves from different regions of China using GC-MS and FTIR spectroscopy

“…The chemical compositions of Cinnamomum verum can be varied depending on the geographical distribution. It has been reported that C. verum leaf essential oils cultivated in different regions reveal the existence of four chemotypes (eugenol, eugenol and safrole, benzyl benzoate, and linalool) (Xavier et al 2022). Previous work revealed that yields and compositions of essential oils from cassia bark and twigs vary significantly based on their origins (Li et al 2013a;Cen et al 2021), which may be related to environmental conditions such as altitude, sunlight, and soil type, as well as to cultivation conditions (Figueiredo et al 2008).…”

Current status, technology, regulation and future perspectives of essential oils usage in the food and drink industry

“…35 The variation in secondary metabolite composition could be due to genetic modifications correlated with the adaptation of particular plant species to their environment. 37 The term phenoplasticity was introduced to describe the change in pattern of volatiles within a species under the influence of abiotic stressors. 10 The characterization of EO composition and their chemotypes is very important, making it possible to determine potentially toxic compounds and not only valuable bioactivities 38 and particularly in health claims regarding the EO components.…”

“…The variation in secondary metabolite composition could be due to genetic modifications correlated with the adaptation of particular plant species to their environment 37 . The term phenoplasticity was introduced to describe the change in pattern of volatiles within a species under the influence of abiotic stressors 10 .…”