Abstract The oleoresins of seven Protium species were extracted with hexane and the obtained extracts were studied by GC and GC/MS. A total of 38 compounds were identified in these extracts. The principal components were α-pinene, β-pinene, p-cymene, α-cubebene, β-caryophyllene, α-amyrenone, α-amyrin and β-amyrin. p-Cymene was the principal monoterpene of P. grandifolium (46.5%) and P. apiculatum (25.4%). High concentrations of α- and β-amyrins were identified in P. strumosum (64%) and P. tenuifolium (66.7%).