Obtenção e caracterização de micropartículas utilizando goma de cajueiro

Abstract

Biopolymers have been increasingly used in the production of various new drug delivery systems (NDDS), giving the active protection of the external environment or allowing a control of release, it s potential to vectorization. To this end, microparticles produced from biopolymers have been widely used in the pharmaceutical field for encapsulating drugs. The aim of this study was to develop a microparticulate system using cashew gum as polymer (Anacardium occidentale L.). The polysaccharide was obtained by extraction and purification of exudates from the stem of the tree. The characterization of cashew gum (CG) (powder) was made by analysis of rheological properties, analytical techniques (optical and scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, x- ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, humidity and ash content) and yield. Cashew gum microparticles were obtained by interfacial crosslinking polymerization (ICP) and characterized by their visual and microscopic appearance, analytical techniques (thermal analysis and FTIR) and resistance to pH variations. The study of flow properties of dry CG allowed to characterize the biopolymer as a material of low density and free flow property, also being easily obtained, extraction, purification and does not generate wastes into the environment. The x-ray diffraction showed that the CG is a predominantly amorphous polymer. The technique of ICP made CG insoluble in water which makes this biopolymer promising in obtaining microparticles. Furthermore, the microparticles show good thermal stability and showed sensitivity to slightly alkaline pH optimum for conveying drugs for the treatment of disorders of the colon. Therefore, the CG can be extracted eventually used as a binder for the manufacture of a NDDS. The microparticles show interesting physico-chemical properties which suggest the possibility of its application in the development of future.