Terpenes are compounds derived from the secondary metabolism of plants,
which act biologically in several functionalities, fighting several predators such as
fungi and bacteria. Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are some of the main compounds
that characterize the chemical composition of essential oils. However, this
concentration depends on several factors, such as the type of ecosystem, climate,
temperature, and other circumstances that can directly impact the chemical composition
of essential oil. The Myrtaceae family is considered one of the main families of
Brazilian flora and presents a wide diversity of species. Within this family, some
species produce essential oils rich in terpenoids, which, besides being responsible for
some biological activities, have contributed to the expansion and search for new natural
bioactive substances present in such volatile substances. Given the above, this chapter
presents a literature search with current studies that prove the biological and
antioxidant activities of terpenoids present in essential oils of species of the Myrtaceae
family.![]()
Keywords: Biological Activities, Bioactive Compounds, Volatile Compounds
