Síntese verde de nanopartículas de prata e estudo do óleo do bicho-do-tucumã: potencial terapêutico in vitro e composição química.

Abstract

Within the field of nanomaterials, nanoparticles (particles with dimensions of approximately 100 nm) have gained prominence due to their diverse applications in technology, biomedicine, biological control, and electrical devices. However, their conventional synthesis involves environmentally harmful reagents, limiting their applicability. In this context, green synthesis has emerged as a promising alternative, particularly in the Northern region of Brazil, which possesses a rich diversity of underutilized resources, such as Pará tucumã and tucumã weevil oil, enabling applications that connect nanoscience with traditional medicine. This study aimed to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by the aqueous extract of Pará tucumã (Astrocaryum vulgare Mart.) and to evaluate, in vitro, the therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles, the aqueous tucumã extract (ATE), and tucumã weevil oil (TWO). To achieve this, antioxidant assays (DPPH•, ABTS+•, FRAP, and total phenolic content), antimicrobial tests, and allelopathic assays were conducted. The characterization of TWO was performed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, identifying fatty acids as the major components, along with oxygenated monoterpenes and hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes. Regarding antioxidant activity, the results demonstrated significant activity for TWO, low activity for AgNPs, and modest activity for ATE. No antimicrobial activity was observed for any of the samples. In the allelopathic assays, no inhibitory effect was detected; in some cases, a stimulatory effect on seed development was observed when compared to the control treatment (water). The results indicate that tucumã weevil oil exhibited the greatest therapeutic potential among the tested samples under the conditions evaluated.