Development and characterization of sustainable materials from chitosan films containing rosin white essential oil and murumuru butter with potential application as skin treatment masks

• Grant number: 23/12907-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: February 01, 2024
• End date: August 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiana Maria Pedroso Yoshida
• Grantee: Tathiane Corradi da Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The development of new biodegradable materials follows an increasingly growing trend. The use of natural polymers, such as chitosan, has been studied for its advantages, such as the ability to form flexible and resistant films, antimicrobial properties, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and acting as a vehicle for bioactive compounds. Chitosan is a polymer from a renewable source, extracted from chitin, mainly from crustaceans. This project aims to incorporate natural bioactive compounds extracted from the Amazon region, murumuru butter, and rosin white resin essential oil, forming an active chitosan film with potential application for skin treatment, aiming at hydration and prevention of aging (antioxidant action) and antimicrobial action. With the development of this project, it is interesting to suggest and support solutions for sustainable exploration of bioactive extracts and generate local income in the Amazon region. Murumuru (Astrocaryum murumuru Mart.) is a palm tree rich in lauric and myristic acids with potential bactericidal and fungicidal action, respectively. The essential oil of rosin white resin (Protium heptaphyllum Aubl.), an Amazonian tree with a high concentration of monoterpenes, with hepatoprotective properties, bactericidal and anti-inflammatory action, and also has relaxing, stimulating, and healing properties. The project aims the develop a sustainable material by incorporating natural extracts obtained from native Amazonian plants, forming a biodegradable material with potential application in the cosmetic area, such as skin treatment, promoting hydration, antimicrobial, and antioxidant action.