ABSTRACT: The semiarid region of Brazil holds a great richness of medicinal and aromatic plants with considerable potential for pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and biopesticide industries. Martianthus leucocephalus (Mart. Ex Benth.) J. F. B. Pastore is endemic to this region, and its essential oils contain a principle compound, isobornyl formate, which demonstrates antimicrobial activity against Bacilus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. In spite of its significant pharmacological potential, little is known about its growth. In light of the influence of seasonality on plant growth, development, and secondary metabolism, the present study evaluated the growth and essential oil content of M. leucocephalus grown and harvested during different... |