Diagnóstico quantitativo e qualitativo do processo artesanal de extração do óleo de andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl.)

Abstract

The maintenance of standing forests and the economic development with income generation for the local population can be obtained from the sustainable use of forest products with the use of sustainable forest management practices, which seek to optimize the use of natural resources without compromising its regeneration, ecological stability and, therefore, the use of future generations. Such practices constitute alternatives to reduce deforestation and serve as an option for income, employment and biodiversity protection. Among the various plant resources exploited by the communities of the Amazon rainforest, it is emphasized the culture of Andiroba. The andirobeira (Carapa guianensis Aublt.) is one of the many Amazon tree species with economic importance and much prized by the oil extracted from its seeds, mainly by the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. In this context, this research was developed with the aim of conducting a study of the process of Andiroba oil extraction done by the community using seeds derived from the municipalities of Santo Antonio do Taua (upland) and Island Combú (floodplain). The methodology involved the daily monitoring of the process of oil extraction performed on the island of Combú and the introduction of new elements in the extraction process. The results presented significant differences in both the yield and the quality of the Andiroba oil.