The occurrence of phenylpropanoids in the saps of six Piper species (Piperaceae) from Brazil

The Piperaceae family and the Chlorantaceae family are considered as basal angiosperms, with approximately 3,000 species described to date. The Piperaceae family is currently divided into five genera. The Piper genus is considered the most expressive of this family, with more than 1,000 species identified. The Piper species have been extensively studied and documented due to their medicinal and pesticide proprieties attributed to the presence of diverse secondary metabolites found in their tissues. Phytochemical studies with the Piper species have revealed a variety of secondary metabolite classes such as amides, phenylpropanoids, prenylated benzoic acids, flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, chromenes, lignans and neolignans. Given the economic, ecological, chemical and biological importance of the Piper species, and in order to contribute to knowledge of the chemical content of the sap in these plants, Paz et al present a study addressing the identification of secondary metabolites in the sap of six Piper species.