Copaifera langsdorfii (Desf.) Kuntze (copaiba) seeds are abundantly produced and have not yet been characterized. The seed oil presents a characteristic odor of coumarin (250.1 +/- 6.57 mg/g determined through LC). The fatty acid composition of the oil was determined through CG/FID, being 45.3% linoleic acid, 32.3% monounsaturated, and 22.4% saturated fat. For the lipid-free seeds, the total carbohydrate, protein and moisture were 75.4%, 6.8% and 14.8%, respectively. The C. langsdorfii xyloglucan had an intrinsic viscosity of 804 mL/g, and the average molar mass (M-w) was 7.82 x 10(5) g/mol and R-g of 65 nm. The degree of polydispersion was 1.7, indicating the polydisperse family of polysaccharides. Its homogeneity, low degree of polymer contaminants and high intrinsic viscosity and molecular mass, represent good potential as a thickening agent. The presence of coumarin and xyloglucan as major components of C. langsdorfii seeds denotes its potential for use in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industries. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.