Preparação de partículas reticuladas de alginato e amido com extrato de Solanum mauritianum Scop.

Abstract

Brazil is recognized as the country with the greatest plant biodiversity, home to diferente species of trees and shrubs such as Solanum mauritianum Scop, which is renowned for its therapeutic properties, especially in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, antifungal, antibacterial and insecticidal action. This species is one of many with high phytotherapeutic potential, so the exploitation of Solanum mauritianum Scop through extraction and encapsulation represents an expansion of possible applications. However, there are no studies in the literature on plant extracts from this plant being incorporated into particles prepared with polymeric materials. With this in mind, the aim of this study was to prepare a polymeric blend of starch and alginate, in the form of spheres, containing extracts from the leaves of Solanum mauritianum Scop. To do this, the leaves of Solanum mauritianum Scop were dried and crushed. The extract was obtained using the Soxhlet technique with solvents such as ethanol and hexane. Finally, to remove the solvents, the extracts were treated in a rotary evaporator. The extract was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and qualitative analyses to determine phenolic compounds, tannins, flavonoids, coumarins, quinones, saponins and alkaloids. Various proportions of the polymers were used to produce the starch/alginate particles, and the dripping technique was used to encapsulate the Solanum mauritianum Scop leaf extract, which was evaluated using swelling reversibility and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Extraction by the Soxhlet technique was more efficient using ethanol as the solvent, obtaining 2.13 g of leaf extract. The phytochemical analysis showed phenolic compounds, tannins, coumarins and alkaloids. On the other hand, it showed no flavonoid, saponin or quinone activity. FTIR analysis identified functional groups at wave number 1165 cm- 1 (OH) bending, 1380 cm-1 (CH) bending, 1400 cm-1 (CCO) stretching vibration, 1600 cm-1 (CO) carbonyl stretching vibration and 2852 cm -1 (C-H) stretching vibration. According to the morphology, the blends 75% alginate and 25% starch, 50% alginate and 50%, 25% alginate and 75% starch, showed a less spherical morphology and a rough surface. The 100% alginate blend, on the other hand, showed imperfect spheres with a smooth surface. According to the swelling reversibility analysis, the particles showed no ability to swell in water. This study presents promising approaches for diversifying the phytotherapeutic applications of this species, mainly due to the use of natural and biodegradable polymers.