**6. Bromeliaceae Family**

The Bromeliaceae family is composed of approximately 56 genera and 3086 species. Due to the grea<sup>t</sup> economic potential, extraction from natural environments and, mainly, due to the ornamental value among landscapers and gardeners, some species are threatened with extinction. Species are predominantly neotropical and can be found on the American and African continents. They present grea<sup>t</sup> ecological diversity, with terrestrial and epiphytic species, which are arboreal, shrub or cactaceae [175,177].

One species that stands out for its economic potential is *Ananas comosus* (L) Merr, known as pineapple which, in addition to its potential for fresh consumption, is also used as a raw material to produce numerous by-products. Many plants in this family are utilized in the automotive and textile industry, such as *Ananas lucidus* Miller and *Neoglaziovia variegata* Mez due to their important properties for the production of fibers [178].

In addition, some members of the Bromeliaceae family stand out for producing large amounts of proteins and enzymes that cleave peptide bonds between amino acids in proteins. The e ffect of these proteins on plant physiology is not ye<sup>t</sup> known, but one hypothesis is that these enzymes play the role of protecting plants against pathogens and herbivores [179].

#### *6.1. Genus Bromelia and Species Bromelia antiacantha*

The genus *Bromelia* comprises about 46 species distributed throughout Americas and used in folk medicine against parasitic diseases, edema, respiratory and kidney problems, intestinal disorders, and diabetes. *B. antiacantha* Bertol. is popularly known as caraguatá, gravatá, carauatá or croatá and has properties that contribute on a large scale for the economic development of the region where it occurs or is cultivated [180–182].

The species adapts to di fferent climatic conditions, being found in humid and flooded soils and even in the post-beach forest, which indicates tolerance to high salinity and soaked soils. In addition, it can also be found in xerophytic environments, in which there is scarcity of water and nutrients such as Cerrado soils submitted to drought periods, in these cases, the plant adapts with the presence of a structure for storing water and nutrients, the rhizome [183].

This species has grea<sup>t</sup> diversity of applications, and fruits are not only used as food in the production of jellies and ice cream, but the plant is also used for ornamental purposes. Proteolytic enzymes were detected in the crude extract from *B. antiacantha* fruits and the new protease Antiacanthain A, a molecule with interesting characteristics for biotechnological use, was recently isolated [179,184]. These enzymes are used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, food and textile industries and in the production of detergent for cleaning clothes due to their stain-removing property [185].

#### 6.1.1. Geographical Distribution and Popular Use

Occurrences of *B. antiacantha* are recorded in several American countries, among them, Venezuela, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and the Caribbean islands. The species has perennial germination cycle, its leaves are prickly and, due to the beauty of its flowers, attracts pollinators like hummingbirds, increasing the natural dispersion of the species [186,187].

In folk medicine, the fruits of this species are used for respiratory problems such as flu, asthma, and bronchitis through the administration of homemade syrup produced by decoction. For the production of this syrup, the pulp of 1 *B. antiacantha* fruit is submitted to heating together with one cup of solvent, which in this case is water, for about 5 min; then the mixture is filtered and sugar is added in the proportion of two cups of sugar for one cup of the mixture. Sugar must be mixed under heating until complete homogenization and acts not only as sweetener, but also as a preservative, which is used according to the dose of one tablespoon three times a day [188,189].

In some cases, vegetable organs of other species are added in the syrup preparation to enhance the expectorant action. The most added species are *Achillea millefolium, Mentha sativa* and *Zingiber <sup>o</sup>*ffi*cinale*. Other indications for the use of the fruit are purgative, diuretic, vermifuge and abortion. Leaves are used in the form of tea prepared by infusion or decoction, with drops of propolis, used in mouthwash for the treatment of thrush and other disorders of the oral mucosa and the extract produced by maceration is indicated as antipyretic and anthelmintic [182,190,191].
