Abstract
Colombia is the second richest country in the world in plant biodiversity (20299 species – angiosperms), distributed between natural forests and savannahs among others; nonetheless, these biomes are deteriorating due to uncontrolled anthropogenic activity (illegal mining, extensive agriculture/animal breeding and illicit crops related to drug trafficking/armed conflict) that has put them at risk. Despite this, these ecosystems have important chemical, biological and genetic resources, whose applications in medicine, food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and perfumery would be sustainable alternatives that would favor/help to conserve them; some of the plants have shown promising results due to the chemical compositions of their essential oils or volatile fractions and/or their biological activities. This chapter contains information about science dynamics related to these plants, geographical distribution, scientific and vernacular names, botanical and chemical aspects (including some structures) and biological properties.
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Author(s): Amner Muñoz-Acevedo, María C. González, Osnaider J. Castillo, Cindy P. Guzmán, Nubellys M. Peralta, Martha Cervantes-Díaz
Organization(s): Universidad del Norte
Source: Essential Oils
Year: 2023