Characterization of Chitosan Films containing Dragon's Blood latex with potential application as a sustainable cosmetic

• Grant number: 22/10565-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: November 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiana Maria Pedroso Yoshida
• Grantee: Giovanna de Andrade Bonucci
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Sustainable cosmetics are products designed to reduce the negative environmental effect. The sustainable interest of cosmetic companies has been growing, combining economic returns with social and environmental obligations. The demand for cosmetic products to prevent antiaging has grown in recent years. Masks containing active synthetic antioxidant compounds have been used to reduce the effects of loss of elasticity, dryness, wrinkles and depigmentation of the skin. Natural extracts with antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential can be obtained from Amazon native plants. Dragon's blood resin, extracted from the Croton lechleri tree, has healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial and other properties. Chitosan, a natural biopolymer, has been extensively studied for presenting advantages such as the ability to form flexible and resistant films, antimicrobial action and biocompatibility. The objective of this project is to characterize chitosan active films with the incorporation of dragon's blood resin, forming a sustainable and active material, with antioxidant, antimicrobial, moisturizing properties, with potential application as sustainable dermatological cosmetics antiaging and anti-acne. This project is part of the BioNat group's research, and it is a continuation of previous works, to characterize dragon's blood and active films (release of the active compound, anti-acne action, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, antioxidant action on cells) to guarantee the potential application as a topical use on the skin. It is noteworthy that dragon's blood resin is widely used regionally in countries of the Amazon region, in a cultural way, indicating its historical effectiveness, but requiring scientific verification.