Camilla Iris Cardoso

The Cerrado is Brazil's second largest biome and the most biodiverse savannah in the world. This biome has several phytophysiognomies, with many fruit trees. Among the trees of the Cerrado is the pequi tree (Caryocar brasiliense Camb.), with fruit known as pequi. The pequi is a fruit of great socio-economic and cultural importance for the region and for Brazil. In addition to its cultural and economic importance, pequi stands out for its rich chemical composition, containing carotenoids such as β-carotene, phytosterols, flavonoids, phenolic acids and tocopherols. These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties, as well as cardiovascular, neuroprotective and immunological benefits, reinforcing their functional and sustainable value in the Cerrado. The aim of this study was therefore to carry out a qualitative study of pequi through semi-structured interviews with rural producers in selected municipalities in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. It was clear that the farmers interviewed consume pequi frequently, especially during the harvest season. For the most part, the consumption of pequi by the interviewees is related to its flavour, aroma, beneficial health properties and cultural aspects. The producers recognise pequi as an environmentally friendly fruit and are concerned about deforestation in the Cerrado.

Plants synthesize a wide range of secondary metabolites, including phenolic compounds and terpenoids, which play key ecological roles and have relevant agro-industrial applications. The genus Baccharis, belonging to the family Asteraceae, is highly abundant in South America, particularly in Brazil, and has long been used in traditional medicine, supporting its neotropical origin. Given the growing interest in the species that compose this genus and, in their metabolites, the present study aimed to compile a structured database to support the identification of volatile compounds occurring in Baccharis species. A total of 158 volatile compounds were identified across 15 species, most of which belong to the subgenus Baccharis. Eleven compounds were observed that may serve as chemotaxonomic markers for the genus. The species most extensively studied over the past decade were B. dracunculifolia and B. trimera. Altogether, these findings highlight the metabolic potential of the Baccharis genus and point to new prospects for pharmaceutical and agro-industrial applications .