Infraspecific chemical variability in the essential oils of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus (Gomes) L.R. Landrum (Myrtaceae)

Leaf essential oils of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus from the central Brazilian Cerrado were obtained by hydrodistillation and investigated by GC and GC–MS. A total of 57 constituents were identified, accounting for 96–100% of the volatile constituents. Principal component and cluster analysis identified three chemotypes: cluster I, characterized by high percentages of geranial (41.2 +/− 3.9%), neral (26.8 +/− 1.3%), caryophyllene oxide (3.8 +/− 2.5%), and spathulenol (3.7 +/− 1.8%); cluster II, with high contents of (E)-asarone (21.8 +/− 30.9%), (E)-caryophyllene (16.2 +/− 7.7%), and elemicin (8.8 +/− 2.4%); and cluster III, with high amounts of (E)-methyl isoeugenol (93.2 +/− 1%). The occurrence of these chemotypes at the same site indicates that chemovariation is genetically determined. ► Infraspecific chemical variability of Pimenta pseudocaryophyllus from Brazil was investigated. ► GC and GC–MS analysis of leaf essential oils identified mainly phenols and monoterpenes. ► Multivariate analysis identified three chemotypes: citral, (E)-caryophyllene, and (E)-methyl isoeugenol. ► The chemovariation observed can be genetically determined. ► Chemical and biological future studies with this species should specify the chemotype.