Characterization of the extraction process of latex from janaúba trees (Himatanthus Willd. ex Schult.- Apocynaceae) in the Municipality of Alcântara, Maranhão State, Brazil

Abstract

Its latex, locally known as "janaúba milk", and, in the Municipality of Alcântara, Maranhão State, Brazil its extraction is a complementary source of income for part of the rural population. The general objective of this work was to characterize the current extraction process of janaúba latex regarding its technical, operational, and economic aspects. The specific objectives were to estimate the amount produced, the extraction system, and the production costs. Also, this work aimed at identifying the botanic features of the ethnospecies, and concluded that red janaúba and white janaúba are the species Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel and Himatanthus obovatus (Müll Arg) Woodson, respectively. The most common method for extracting latex uses sponge and water for trees ≥ 30 width. Productivity rates are directly related to the number of trees in their productive stage. The mean latex production is 0.73 L during the dry season. The extraction system yielded positive outcomes, but it turned out to be economically unviable in the short and medium terms. Management measures should be established and implemented to monitor over-exploitation, to protect the target areas and to improve the production system, making it more profitable.