AMIDO DE MESOCARPO DE Attalea speciosa Mart. ex Spreng. (BABAÇU) NA FABRICAÇÃO DE FILMES CICATRIZANTES

Abstract

Babassu (Attalea speciosa Mart. Ex Spreng.) Is a tree in the palm family (Arecaceae), its fruit is a coconut composed of four parts: epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and almond. The coconut mesocarp is rich in starch (50 to 60%), so the characteristics of this material have been studied for the development of pharmaceutical adjuvants and the development of biodegradable materials. Another promising field for the use of starch is in the development of biodegradable and healing biofilms. These products can offer many benefits, because in addition to protecting wounds during healing, they can be impregnated with an active ingredient and release them slowly. Thus, considering the properties of babassu coconut starch and its biotechnological potential, this work aimed to evaluate the characteristics of babassu coconut mesocarp starch in the development of films that can be used as healing dressings to protect wounds. This work was divided into two chapters. Chapter I “Progress in the composition of natural polymer-based dressings: development in their forms” which deals with a review article aimed at evaluating advances in the development of dressings based on or derived from natural polymers, as well as the use of used therapies in combination with these dressings, with particular emphasis on research published in the past 15 years. Through consultation in databases, it was possible to observe that despite the massive publication in basic science, few healing products based on natural polymers that combine efficiency and low cost are available on the market. Chapter II “Development and characterization of curative films based on the mesocarp of Attalea speciosa Mart. ex spreng and glycolic extract of Aloe vera (L.) Brurm. F.” where the babassu coconut mesocarp was collected in the municipality of Esperantinópolis in the state of Maranhão, the material was washed with a solution of sodium metabisulfite (5 g / L of water) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) at 0.05 mol \ L for starch extraction and manufacturing of casting films. The mesocarp-based films of babassu coconut and Aloe vera, proved to be stable and self sustaining, being easily removed from the support plate. The physical, mechanical and cytotoxicity characteristics showed that the obtained casting films are promising for the protection of wounds and absorption of exudate, with the potential for future development of dressings to aid in tissue repair.