Estudo de estabilidade e avaliação do potencial bactericida de uma saliva artificial à base de gelatina e óleo essencial de limão tahiti (Citrus Latifolia Tanaka)

Abstract

Human saliva is a translucent liquid composed of various elements responsible for the protection, repair, and hydration of the oral cavity. It is produced by the salivary glands, circulates among the teeth, and aids in the preparation of the food bolus, while also regulating the pH of the oral cavity and contributing to its self-cleaning. Saliva plays an essential role in chewing, speaking, and swallowing functions and also possesses antibacterial and antifungal activities. Considering the quality of life of patients facing difficulties in communication, chewing, and swallowing, researchers have invested in the use of biomaterials and biocompatible materials to develop products that provide a quality of life similar to the natural functions of the human body, inhibiting or limiting disturbances of the salivary glands. Gelatin is a collagen-derived protein produced by living organisms and classified into three types, which differ in their sources and structures. These different types of gelatin offer a wide range of properties to be considered in the development of bioproducts and formulations. On the other hand, the Amazon region presents a diversity of plant species rich in bioactive properties, with inhibitory, bactericidal, fungicidal, stimulating, and relaxing functions. A notable example is the lime (Citrus latifolia Tanaka), widely cultivated in the region, which is rich in bactericidal, fungicidal, and stimulating properties due to citric acid, among other compounds. Thus, this work aimed to study the stability and assess the bactericidal potential of an artificial saliva based on gelatin and essential lime oil (Citrus latifolia Tanaka). The stability study and bactericidal potential assessment of the formulation were conducted in four stages: (i) extraction and characterization of essential lime oil, (ii) preparation of the formulation, (iii) evaluation of the bactericidal potential of the artificial saliva, and (iv) stability study of the emulsion. As results, the extraction of essential lime oil and the identification of various health-beneficial properties made it possible to determine the shelf life of the product in an open state, lasting 20 days, and in shelf storage, lasting 45 days. The bactericidal potential confirmed the activity of essential lime oil against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Burkholderia cepacia. The research enabled the determination of the artificial saliva’s shelf life, both in open-use conditions and shelf storage, as well as the assessment of the formulation’s bactericidal potential.Therefore, it was possible to develop an artificial saliva as a palliative solution for individuals suffering from xerostomia.