Use of ethephon in the extraction of resin in two species of Protium Burm f. and evaluation of its effect on hexane extract composition in Protium strumosum Daly

Abstract

The genus Protium Burm f. (Burseraceae) is characterized by having species with the property of exuding resin from tree trunks. These resins have several popular uses. Besides that, they are being used in the cosmetic industry and in scientific studies. Considering the growing demand and the potential of this forest product, it is necessary to develop a sustainable management technique that increases the amount of resin obtained, without altering its quality. This could avoid the product running low on the market and the improper exploitation of trees in the forest, and could turn into a new source of income for extractivist communities. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of the chemical stimulant ethephon on the resin production in two species of Protium at Ducke Forest Reserve, in Manaus, Central Amazonia, Brazil. Another objective was to verify the variation on the chemical composition of the resin hexane extract in Protium strumosum Daly, caused by the use of stimulant, by GC-FID and GC–MS. The use of ethephon enabled the resin extraction in both species. However, P. strumosum produced about nine times more resin than Protium hebetatum Daly. For P. strumosum, there was no significant variation in the composition of hexane extract of the resins extracted with the use of ethephon. © 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.