Contents



Preface

Plants rich in essential oils (EOs) are viable for use in various human activities and business sectors, particularly the food industry, due to their antioxidant, antimicrobial, phytotoxic, neuroprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties. EOs also have low cytotoxicity, which reduces the risks of intoxication. They are natural volatile fractions extracted from aromatic plants, and are formed in the secondary metabolism of plants. Several classes of volatile substances can be found in their chemical composition, such as fatty acid esters, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, phenylpropanoids, alcohols, aldehydes, and in some cases, aliphatic hydrocarbons. This variation in composition depends on physiology, environmental conditions, geographic variations, seasonality, collection period, genetic factors, and plant evolution. As a result, physicochemical properties of EOs can be altered, and oil concentrations in certain plant parts such as stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits can increase or decrease. In nature, EOs play a decisive role in the resistance of plants against phytopathogens and herbivores. EOs are also important in communication, for the plant can use a chemical agent that travels through the atmosphere and may activate defensive genes of other plants. In the oil industry, they are widely studied mainly for their potential applications as agents that promote biological activities. Similarly, volatile compounds have presented over the years several pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anticancer, antiprotozoal, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, phytotoxic, and neuroprotective activities. In this sense, this book provides relevant information on applications of essential oils as well as their volatile compounds, and new perspectives on their most diverse uses, aiming to contribute in a systematic way to the dissemination of knowledge in the area of natural products. The book also discusses innovative applications of EOs such as in aromatherapy, control of invasive species, and treatment of

The Academic Editor Dr. Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira thanks PCI-MCTIC/MPEG

**Dr. Mozaniel Santana de Oliveira**

Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Federal University of Pará,

Research Campus Botanical Coordination,

**Dr. Wanessa Almeida da Costa and Dr. Sebastião Gomes Silva**

Museu Emílio Goeldi,

Pará, Brazil

Pará, Brazil

as well as CNPq for the scholarship process number:302203/2020-6.

breast cancer.

*by Ahmed Abdulwahid Ali Almarie*
