Gender-related phytochemical variation on Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. from two populations

Baccharis dracunculifolia DC. is a dioecious shrub native to South America and the main botanical source of green propolis, an important commercial and medicinal product produced by Apis mellifera L. This study evaluated the phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of hydroethanolic extracts and essential oils from male and female plants collected from different populations. This is the first comparative analysis of genders from different populations, focusing on artepillin C, the main compound of industrial interest. Leaf extracts were analyzed by HPLC-DAD and LC-MS, while hydrodistilled essential oils were assessed using GC-FID and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was measured using DPPH and ABTS assays. A total of 31 compounds were detected in the extracts, with 17 identified. Major constituents included 3,5-di-Ocaffeoylquinic acid , 4,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid, and artepillin C. Essential oils were rich in oxygenated sesquiterpenes, monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, with (E)- nerolidol, β-pinene, and limonene as the main volatiles. Male plants exhibited higher levels of non-volatile compounds, greater essential oil content, and stronger antioxidant activity in both extracts and oils. The highest artepillin C concentration was found in male leaves from both studied populations. These findings highlight the influence of gender and environment on the phytochemical profile, reinforcing its potential for highquality natural products.