title: Evaluation of the Allelopathic Potential of Leaf, Stem, and Root Extracts of Ocotea pulchella Nees et Mart.
abstract: Despite the increase in recent decades in herbicide research on the potential of native plants, current knowledge is considered to be low. Very few studies have been carried out on the chemical profile or the biological activity of the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) species. In the study reported here, the allelopathic activity of AcOEt and MeOH extracts of leaves, stems, and roots from Ocotea pulchella Nees was evaluated. The extracts were assayed on etiolated wheat coleoptiles. The AcOEt leaf extract was the most active and this was tested on standard target species (STS). Lycopersicon esculentum and Lactuca sativa were the most sensitive species in this test. A total of eleven compounds have been isolated and characterized. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 6 have not been identified previously from O. pulchella and ocoteol (9) is reported for the first time in the literature. Eight compounds were tested on wheat coleoptile growth, and spathulenol, benzyl salicylate, and benzyl benzoate showed the highest activities. These compounds showed inhibitory activity on L. esculentum. The values obtained correspond to the activity exhibited by the extract and these compounds may therefore be responsible for the allelopathic activity shown by O. pulchella.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Federal University of São Carlos, Av. Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, Monjolinho, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lafayette P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Candido
authors.affiliation: Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3) C/Republica Saharaui, no. 7, ES-11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz.
authors.forename: Rosa M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Varela
authors.affiliation: Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3) C/Republica Saharaui, no. 7, ES-11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz.
authors.forename: Ascensión
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3) C/Republica Saharaui, no. 7, ES-11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz.
authors.forename: José M G
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Molinillo
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, Federal University of São Carlos, Av. Rodovia Washington Luiz, Km 235, Monjolinho, CEP 13565-905, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sonia C J
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Gualtieri
authors.affiliation: Allelopathy Group, Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, Institute of Biomolecules (INBIO), University of Cadiz, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence (ceiA3) C/Republica Saharaui, no. 7, ES-11510, Puerto Real, Cadiz. famacias@uca.es.
authors.forename: Francisco A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Macías
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D018548:Cotyledon / Q000187:drug effects; D018551:Solanum lycopersicum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D015394:Molecular Structure; D027444:Ocotea / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry*; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry*; D014908:Triticum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Allelochemicals; Allelopathic activity; Cerrado; Ocotea pulchella; Ocoteol