Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market

Abstract Essential oils are volatile, lipophilic substances mainly composed of terpenes, derived from secondary metabolism. Widely used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and cosmetic industries, essential oils from eucalyptus species are particularly notable for their economic and biological signific...

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Main Authors: Mayara Rodrigues, Paulo Mazzafera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Botânica do Brasil 2025-07-01
Series:Acta Botânica Brasílica
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-33062025000100400&lng=en&tlng=en
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author Mayara Rodrigues
Paulo Mazzafera
author_facet Mayara Rodrigues
Paulo Mazzafera
author_sort Mayara Rodrigues
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Essential oils are volatile, lipophilic substances mainly composed of terpenes, derived from secondary metabolism. Widely used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and cosmetic industries, essential oils from eucalyptus species are particularly notable for their economic and biological significance. This review explores the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and insecticidal activities of essential oils from various eucalyptus species and their isolated constituents, such as eucalyptol and α-terpineol. Because eucalyptus represents 96.7% of the reforested area in Brazil, economic analyses focused on the Brazilian market, highlighting a 25-year trajectory of production and trade, the dominance of eucalyptol-rich oils, and the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality products. Future market prospects include expanding the use of underutilized species, improving oil formulations for enhanced stability and bioavailability, and meeting stringent international quality standards. Addressing these challenges and opportunities underscores the essential role of ongoing research in leveraging eucalyptus essential oils as versatile and sustainable bioresources.
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spelling doaj-art-569e0179816d47aeb00c244a754db38c2025-08-20T02:41:29ZengSociedade Botânica do BrasilActa Botânica Brasílica1677-941X2025-07-013910.1590/1677-941x-abb-2024-0111Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian marketMayara Rodrigueshttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5050-3069Paulo Mazzaferahttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-9073-4056Abstract Essential oils are volatile, lipophilic substances mainly composed of terpenes, derived from secondary metabolism. Widely used in pharmaceutical, agricultural, and cosmetic industries, essential oils from eucalyptus species are particularly notable for their economic and biological significance. This review explores the antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and insecticidal activities of essential oils from various eucalyptus species and their isolated constituents, such as eucalyptol and α-terpineol. Because eucalyptus represents 96.7% of the reforested area in Brazil, economic analyses focused on the Brazilian market, highlighting a 25-year trajectory of production and trade, the dominance of eucalyptol-rich oils, and the growing demand for sustainable and high-quality products. Future market prospects include expanding the use of underutilized species, improving oil formulations for enhanced stability and bioavailability, and meeting stringent international quality standards. Addressing these challenges and opportunities underscores the essential role of ongoing research in leveraging eucalyptus essential oils as versatile and sustainable bioresources.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-33062025000100400&lng=en&tlng=encompositionessential oilsMyrtaceaesustainabilityterpenes
spellingShingle Mayara Rodrigues
Paulo Mazzafera
Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
Acta Botânica Brasílica
composition
essential oils
Myrtaceae
sustainability
terpenes
title Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
title_full Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
title_fullStr Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
title_full_unstemmed Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
title_short Essential oils from Eucalyptus species: a review of their activities, applications, and the Brazilian market
title_sort essential oils from eucalyptus species a review of their activities applications and the brazilian market
topic composition
essential oils
Myrtaceae
sustainability
terpenes
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-33062025000100400&lng=en&tlng=en
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