Known for its applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and culinary industries, pequi oil (Caryocar Brasiliense) is extracted from the pulp and almonds of the fruit from the cerrado. However, what is left over after this process (about 90% of the mass) is usually discarded, generating waste that can reach hundreds of tons per year.
It was this scenario that motivated researchers at Unesp (São Paulo State University) to find a creative, sustainable and cheap way to use the remains of the fruit.
In Assis, in the interior of São Paulo, scientists have developed two new products from pequi residues: a cream with anti-inflammatory activity and a sunscreen with antioxidant properties, capable of delaying skin aging. With the innovations, the fruit can be better used economically, increasing the standard of living of people who depend on it to survive, in addition to collaborating with the environment.
The formulations showed promising results in pharmacological tests. “We had the same response as products already consolidated on the market using a genuinely Brazilian raw material that would go to waste”, says biochemical pharmacist Lucinéia dos Santos, professor at the Faculty of Sciences and Letters at Unesp and coordinator of the studies — supported by FAPESP through two projects (19/02805-2 and 17/26761-9).
The novelties, already patented by the Unesp Innovation Agency (Auin), meet a large market demand for more natural medicines and cosmetics.
“The pharmaceutical industry is constantly seeking new medications and aesthetic solutions that are effective, safe, low-cost and that do not cause negative consequences for the body. We have these products. In addition, our innovations contribute to environmental well-being, economic and social, adding value to a waste that is normally discarded”, says the professor.
According to the professor, to produce a 60-gram tube of the new anti-inflammatory cream, for example, the approximate cost would be R$ 8.10. Currently, the same amount of a commercial anti-inflammatory cream, also made with natural actives, is sold for R$ 65.
Where it all began
The initial idea for the research came from a study developed by a colleague from the Santos department, who was working to increase the yield of oil extraction from pequi, whose productivity is very low — the amount of oil extracted is less than 10% of the mass. of pulp.
“This teacher was creating a press to optimize the removal. We shared the same room and I noticed that she pressed the pequi, removed the oil and discarded the rest. I thought that in that residue there could be important substances that could be used. When. we analyzed this material, and what I imagined was proved. We found important phytochemical compounds that are probably responsible for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and photoprotective activities”, he says.
To assess the cream’s action against inflammation, the scientists injected an irritating substance called carrageenan into the paws of mice, which generated an inflammatory process in the region, causing swelling, redness and increasing the temperature of the area.
After applying the cream, the researchers measured the volume of the lesion and monitored how much it regressed in rodents over time. In just two hours, it was already possible to notice the difference. In three days, the area was completely recovered.
The analysis of the properties of the sunscreen was carried out with the same device used by large manufacturers in the sector. The equipment emits an intense and uniform beam of light that illuminates the material samples and, based on the interpretation of the data that is generated, it measures the product’s protection factor. The technology complies with regulatory requirements from the FDA, the US health surveillance agency, the US Federal Agency for Health and Human Services, and the European Cosmetics Association.
Valuing the environment
Santos, who has worked with different types of waste throughout his career, explains that, by taking advantage of the huge amount of pequi that is discarded, it is possible to add value to biodiversity. “The fruits are intensively collected for consumption in urban centers, but nobody plants pequi trees in an orderly manner. The production takes place in a predatory way. Most of the time, they are families that work in this culture without any kind of technical guidance”, he says.
The studies were carried out in partnership with a cooperative in Minas Gerais, which helped researchers to understand the dynamics of pequi production in the country. In the state, about 12 thousand families, from 170 municipalities, economically depend on the fruit.
Found in the cerrado, in regions with good luminosity and less natural soil fertility, pequi runs the risk of extinction due to predatory agriculture and disorderly cattle raising. “Conserving the Cerrado requires valuing its natural resources. As soon as people understand the importance of preserving pequi trees with a sustainable culture, we will manage to avoid extinction. In addition, with these new products, we can improve the condition. economic and social conditions of the families that depend on this fruit for their livelihood”, defends Santos.
The studies that resulted in the patents had the participation of undergraduate and master’s students from Unesp. Now, researchers have been working to optimize the substances and are looking for partners to continue the work. “We are looking for partners in the industry to start human testing of products developed with pequi residue”, says the professor.
* With information from the Unesp Innovation Agency.
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