Abstract
Copaiba oil resin is a rich source of bioactive compounds, and its extraction not only generates income for local communities but also contributes to forest conservation and the regional bioeconomy. In this study, the inorganic composition of copaiba oil resin obtained in the Carajás National Forest (FLONA Carajás), in the Brazilian Amazon, was determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Ten samples were digested in a microwave oven using 5 mL of HNO(3) (7 mol L(-1)) and 2 mL of H(2)O(2) (30% m/m) and analyzed using ICP-OES. The elements Al, As, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na, Ni, Pb, Sb, Se, Ti, and Zn were quantified, with concentrations ranging from 0.055 mg kg(-1) (Cd) to 2355.9 mg kg(-1) (Ca). Recoveries obtained by the analyte addition method ranged from 87.2% to 108.7%, indicating good precision and minimal matrix effects. The Shapiro-Wilk test indicated that the data did not follow a normal distribution, and Spearman's correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations (r = 0.872-0.999) between darker-colored samples and higher concentrations of specific elements. The method proved efficient for quantifying the inorganic composition of copaiba oil resin. These results provide the first report of the inorganic profile of copaiba oil resin from FLONA Carajás and highlight the importance of elemental characterization to support the sustainable extraction and valorization of this nontimber forest product from the Amazon.