Composição química do hidrolato de Rosmarinus officinalis L. E Melaleuca alternifolia (Cheel), cultivados no município de Realeza, Sudeste Paranaense

Abstract

The use of medicinal plants, including Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) and Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree), has a long history in traditional medicine due to their potential therapeutic benefits. In this study, we aimed to assess the chemical composition of hydrosols from these plants cultivated in the Realeza region of southwestern Paraná, Brazil, during the autumn of 2023. The analysis was conducted at the Organic Chemistry Laboratory of the Federal University of the Southern Frontier, Realeza-PR campus, and chromatography analysis at the Analytical Center of the University of Santa Cruz do Sul, located in the city of Santa Cruz do Sul, SC. The results revealed that the hydrosols of rosemary and tea tree have chemical compositions similar to the essential oils of these plants, albeit in smaller quantities. The main components found in the rosemary hydrosol include Verbenone and Eucalyptol, while the tea tree hydrosol is rich in Terpinen-4-ol. These findings are relevant for a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of these hydrosols, which can serve as an alternative source of antimicrobial and antifungal compounds. This research contributes to the knowledge of the use of medicinal plants in the region and their potential in the field of healthcare.