Introduction to the Study of Medicinal Plants, Bioeconomy and Business Opportunities in Central and South Amazon in Ecuador

Abstract

Ecuador is a megabiodiverse country with high opportunities to develop economic activities around renewable resources. The research performed scouts the state of the bioeconomy in Ecuador and emphasizes the development of different projects carried out in the Department of Chemistry – Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (Ecuador), including the design and commercialization of a natural ingredient and the intellectual protection (patent) of two products obtained from biodiversity. Finally, a preliminary bibliographic study is developed describing the state of the art of the use of plant and animal species in the Amazonian provinces of Ecuador.