CONTROLE DE QUALIDADE DE AMOSTRAS COMERCIAIS DE Schinus terebinthifolius RADDI (AROEIRA) ADQUIRIDAS EM MERCADOS PÚBLICOS DA CIDADE DE SÃO LUÍS MA

Abstract

Phytotherapy, for being traditional practice of health recognized in several scientific studies and for World Health Organization, has become as an pharmacological alternative well accepted and accessible to the world s populations. As a result of this therapeutic practice consolidation, several plant species and their products are commercialized at fairs and public markets. The specie Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi, popularly known as aroeira, is among the plants widely consumed, due to its properties anti-inflammatory, healing and antibacterial. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the quality of commercial samples of aroeira, acquired in public markets in the city of São Luís - MA. For the study were used aroeira's barks acquired in twelve public markets, as well as barks obtained of a specimen previously identified in herbarium, used as reference sample of the specie Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi. Was performed analysis morphological (macroscopic) and anatomical (microscopic) of the cross sections and powders obtained from the barks, phytochemicals tests, evaluation of moisture content and antibacterial activity by the methods of broth dilution and agar diffusion. After macroscopic analysis, six commercial samples showed morphological aspects different from reference sample. With regard to microscopic analysis was demonstrated the authenticity of five commercial samples, by comparison with the plant reference sample and information in the literature. In Phytochemical analysis, the reference sample showed the major constituents characteristic of the species, however, the commercial samples analysis, differences were found related, mainly, the analysis of tannins and saponins. The differences observed in this evaluation may reflect the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the chemical composition of plant species. The determination of moisture in the commercial samples analyzed showed that five had moisture content above the maximum limit allowed for barks, being, therefore, reproved in thismcriterion. In the evaluation of antibacterial activity, all samples showed some degree of activity for Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, however, only six were also active against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, four of those considered authentic in the microscopic analysis. The verification of poor quality of herbal drugs marketed for therapeutic purposes demonstrates the need for development of inspection programs, surveillance and quality control of these drugs, aiming, thus, consumer safety.