Extração de óleo essencial do alecrim pimenta (Lippia origanoides kunth) e caracterização físico química com análise de GC-MS e FTIR

Abstract

Introduction: Essential oil of rosemary pepper (Lippia Origanoides Kunth), known for its antimicrobial, antiseptic and antioxidant properties as listed in the literature, represents an excellent alternative for the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Therefore, this study aims to obtain and perform the physical-chemical and molecular characterization of the essential oil. Methodology and Results: The essential oil was extracted from the leaves of Lippia Origanoides Kunth by hydrodistillation, and its chemical characterization was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), identifying thymol as the major compound at 64.55%, with a molar mass of 150.221 g/mol. Quality control analyses revealed a pH of 5.03 ± 0.19, a relative density of 0.9596, a refractive index of 1.51094 ± 0.00023, and acidity corresponding to 0.0717 mg KOH/g of oil. For molecular structure analysis, the essential oil was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), which identified the functional groups present in the molecule through vibrational modes, allowing the identification of chemical bonds and the presence of contaminants. Conclusion: The results presented contributed to the scientific understanding of this specific plant, allowing comparisons between different regions. However, variations were observed in relation to previous studies in the literature, highlighting the need for a detailed characterization. This study establishes a solid basis for future investigations into the therapeutic potential and industrial applications of rosemary pepper essential oil, reinforcing its relevance in Brazil's biodiversity and natural resources.