Characterization of the chemical composition of oleoresins of Copaifera guianensis Desf., Copaifera duckei Dwyer and Copaifera multijuga Hayne.

Oleoresins from different species of Copaifera are used in popular medicine and in the cosmetics industry without giving due consideration to the differences between them. Comparison of the compositions of oleoresins from Copaifera guianensis Desf. and Copaifera duckei Dwyer, species now examined, and of the better known Copaifera multijuga Hayne, all of common occurrence in Brazilian Amaz nia, shows that significant chemical variation occurs not only between species but also within a given species and in an individual tree source.