Development of skin treatment masks with antioxidant and antimicrobial action, using biopolymers, plant extracts and nanoparticles

• Grant number: 25/03149-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Technology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiana Maria Pedroso Yoshida
• Grantee: Yani Asanuma Fernandes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The project aims to develop innovative and sustainable materials, using natural resources from the Amazon and promoting the appreciation of local biodiversity. The masks will be able to meet the growing demand for multifunctional and environmentally friendly cosmetics. Thus, the project aims to formulate and characterize skin treatment masks based on chitosan, a natural polymer with biocompatible and biodegradable properties. The masks will be enriched with copaiba and camu-camu oil, antioxidants and vitamin C sources, and ZnO nanoparticles, which provide antimicrobial action and protection against UV rays. The chitosan films will be obtained by casting and incorporating plant extracts and nanoparticles. The masks will be characterized according to their barrier properties, color parameters, water solubility, antioxidant activity, cytotoxicity and the antimicrobial activity of the materials. The aim is to obtain masks with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties suitable for cosmetic application. The materials should present good biocompatibility and safety for topical use. The absence of studies of films combining chitosan, copaiba oil, camu camu and nanoZO in the literature gives this project an innovative character due to the unique combination of these compounds, paving the way for the development of cosmetic products with the potential to revolutionize the cosmetics market. (AU)