Evaluation of the potential of incorporation of rosemary extract in membranes of alginate and chitosan

• Grant number: 12/03217-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2012
• End date: May 31, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Angela Maria Moraes
• Grantee: Vitor Gondim Tomaz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Polysaccharides such as alginate and chitosan are known for their high biocompatibility and biodegradability and can be used in the preparation of dressings for treating skin lesions. The purpose of this project is to analyze the feasibility of incorporating hydrophobic bioactive agents obtained from plants in alginate-chitosan membranes, in order to study the applicability of these devices for the release of plant extracts with anti-inflammatory and microbicidal properties. The topic covered in the project has been studied by the research the team for nearly 10 years. Rosemary was selected as the plant-model because it presents the required characteristics. Its extract will be obtained by supercritical fluid technology and incorporated in the membrane by impregnation in ethanolic solution. The samples will be evaluated regarding appearance, morphology, thickness, stability and degree of swelling in water and phosphate buffered saline (PBS), tensile strength and efficiency of incorporation of the rosemary extract. The properties of membranes incorporating and not containing the extract will be compared, and the study may be expanded to include other forms of incorporation and different processing conditions if the new material obtained proves promising for the intended application. (AU)