BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF Citrus sinensis BIO-OIL FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANTIMICROBIAL AND ANTIVIRAL AGENTS
Name: JOÃO GILBERTO MEZA UCELLA FILHO
Publication date: 20/12/2023
Examining board:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANANIAS FRANCISCO DIAS JUNIOR | Advisor |
Summary: The resistance of microorganisms, such as bacteria and viruses, to antimicrobials and antivirals poses a significant challenge in global public health. In this scenario, the search for bioactive compounds for the development of new drugs
becomes increasingly necessary. The application of thermochemical processing to plant biomass emerges as a promising approach for generating products with bioactive characteristics suitable for drug formulation, with a particular focus on
bio-oil (BO). Accordingly, this study aimed to investigate the action of BO, obtained through the pyrolysis of residual biomass from Citrus sinensis, as an antimicrobial and antiviral agent. The goal is to serve as a foundation for the creation of new bioactive products for the treatment of bovine mastitis and COVID-19. Residual wood from C. sinensis underwent physical and chemical
analyses for characterization. Subsequently, the material was pyrolyzed at different heating rates (1, 3, 5, and 7°C min-1) to obtain the BOs. The BOs were purified, and their physical characteristics and chemical composition were determined. Bioactive properties were assessed through tests aimed at investigating antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, anti-Sars-CoV-2 activity, and hemolytic potential. It was observed that lower heating rates resulted in less acidic BOs. Acetic acid, furfural, and o-guaicol stood out as major chemical constituents in the BOs. Concentrations of 2.5% of BO
demonstrated antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects. The BO obtained with a heating rate of 5°C min-1 exhibited superior anti-Sars-CoV-2 action and showed no hemolytic effects at a concentration of 1%. These results indicate that BOs from residual biomass of C. sinensis exhibit promising bioactive properties for the development of drugs, cleaning products, and sanitation of hospital
environments, among other applications. Furthermore, these findings contribute significantly to scientific and technological advancements in the fields of agricultural and health sciences.
Keywords: pyroligneous liquid, antimicrobial, antiviral, residual biomass
