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. 2025 Aug 8;30(16):3323.
doi: 10.3390/molecules30163323.

Roupala montana Aubl. Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Emerging Biological Activities

Luis Cartuche  1 , Mireya Guayllas-Avila  2 , Leydy Nathaly Castillo  1 , Vladimir Morocho  1
Affiliations

Roupala montana Aubl. Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Emerging Biological Activities

Luis Cartuche et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Roupala montana (Proteaceae) is a shrub native to subtropical and tropical regions of Central and South America. The EO extracted from R. montana was analyzed for its chemical composition and biological activities. GC analysis revealed that the essential oil has a chemically diverse composition, predominantly composed of oxygenated diterpenes (29.37%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (7.81%). Phytol, with 21.17 ± 1.59%, was the major component. Enantioselective GC showed a high enantiomeric excess of (S)-(+)-γ-muurolene (95.07%) and enantiomeric purity of (1S,4aR,8aR)-(-)-γ-cadinene. Antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties were assessed in the EO, comparing them with related species, highlighting its potential for targeted pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.

Keywords: Roupala montana; acetylcholinesterase; enantioselectivity; essential oil; phytol.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Roupala montana. (a) Tree; (b) leaves; (c) flowers.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Gas chromatogram of Roupala montana leaf essential oil.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Main chemical compounds identified in Roupala montana EO.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Half-maximum inhibitory concentration of Roupala montana EO against acetylcholinesterase enzyme.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Geographic map showing sampling site for Roupala montana collection in Hanne Forest, southern Ecuador.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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