Utilization of Agave sisalana waste for the development of phytocosmetic

Abstract

Through data in specific literature one can observe that, although Brazil is the largest world producer of sisal, Agave sisalana, the study of pharmacological actions of its mucilage, the waste resulting from shredding the leaves of this plant, is limited. However, the few researches carried out up to now, including those ones developed in our laboratory, already confirm some pharmacological actions of sisal, including its antioxidant activity. Given this situation, this project aims to investigate the antioxidant activities and quantify phenols, flavonoids and tannins of ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts obtained from the sisal mucilage, in order to maximize the effect already found. Moreover,it is objective of this project to evaluate the anti-aging activity of the extracts, to develop a phytocosmetic and evaluate the photoprotection of the formulation to be developed. In addition, the same analysis will be carried out with roots of sisal farmers discard at the time of renewal of their seedlings. This project is a cooperation between UNESP and the SECTI (UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista; SECTI - Secretaria de Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação da Bahia) and seeks a technical-scientifical solution, economically feasible, for the use of sisal waste wich has being mostly discarded; it also seeks sustainable development and social promotion of the sisal-producing region, which lies among the country's poorest areas.