Exploring the histolocalization of secondary metabolites in two species of Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Explorando a histolocalização de metabólitos secundários em duas espécies de Croton L. (Euphorbiaceae)

The species Croton heliotropiifolius Kunth and Croton pedicellatus Kunth are used in agriculture and for therapeutic purposes by traditional communities in the city of Campo Maior, Piauí State, Brazil. Both species contain secondary compounds such as flavonoids, triterpenes and phenolic compounds and, according to pharmacological studies, have different biological properties associated with their extracts, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Thus, they are the target of studies that investigate the diversity of secondary metabolites and the site of synthesis and storage of these compounds. In the field, the material was fixed in FAA (formaldehyde-glacial acetic acid, 50% etilic alcohol; 1:1:18 v v-1) for anatomical analyses and in FNT for histochemical analyses. The tests indicate the presence of total proteins, starch, lipids, phenolics and alkaloids in the stem and leaf regions of both species. The laticifers, idioblasts and glandular trichomes are the sites where the compounds were found in both species.

Keywords:
Croton heliotropiifolius; Croton pedicellatus; Crotoneae tribe; histochemistry; Taxonomy