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The badociation of pineapple proteins with the cellulose produced by the bacteria resulted in effective wound healing, ulceration, and burn, according to researchers at Universities Sorocaba (Uniso) and Unicamp, with support from the Foundation
They produced a compound in the form of gel or plaster based on pineapple protein, called bromelain, and bacterial cellulose – two elements already used
Bromelain has the property to break down the molecules of other proteins – cellular debridement – and is therefore used even to soften the meat. the same characteristic leads to the removal of dead cells in the wound, cleaning them and accelerating their healing, "explains Janaína Artem Ataide, of Unicamp, lead author. from the article published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports which shows the results of joint work
Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer of nature, mainly produced by plants. But there are also microorganisms, such as the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus capable of synthesizing it.
"This bacterium is a biofactory," says researcher Angela Faustino Jozala, Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology and Fermentative Processes of Uniso, another author of the article. "It produces cellulose as if it was a polymer of glucose (sugar) .As the product is woven into nanostructures (a nanometer equals one millionth of a millimeter or a billionth of a meter ), we call it nanocellulose. "
Jozala explains that "Bacterial cellulose is a highly crystalline linear glucose polymer synthesized extracellularly by the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus in the form of nanofibers, because it is produced without other polymers (such as l? hemicellulose and lignin), can be considered a biocompatible material. "
For this reason, it has already been used in several medical applications, such as temporary transplants and skin replacements or dressings for the treatment of injuries.
Both teams knew the work of each other and decided to partner to produce the new dressing. "As bacterial nanocellulose has already been applied as a healing product, we had the idea of badociating it with a protein with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties."
"We chose bromelain because we already knew its characteristics and the food industry, when it produces pineapple pulp, discard the bark and stalk of the fruit. C & # 39; is a cheap source to obtain it.We take advantage of the fact that the Unicamp team had already extracted this waste to work together. "
Researcher Priscila Gava Mazzola, d & # 39; Unicamp, Ataide consultant and other article author, says that extracting bromelain from pineapple residue decreases the environmental impact of industrialization and produces a high added value product. In addition, it highlights other important points of the work.
"Nanocellulosic biomembranes are promising in the supply of active ingredients," he says. "Its interesting features for the development of a pharmaceutical or cosmetic product have been aligned with those of bromelain. The final bandage has potential use to help healing processes."
Ataide, in turn, says that a few years ago Bromelain was the subject of research at Unicamp. "We went from extracting this biomolecule to pineapple residues to the study of its application in pharmacy and cosmetic for the topical route," he explains
"In this scenario, the idea of inserting it into the bacterial nanocellulose appeared. (the substance found in the exoskeleton of crustaceans, which has healing properties). "
The first laboratory tests were done to check if bromelain actually created an antimicrobial barrier." Untreated wounds are an open door for microorganisms, which can lead to serious infections, "says Jozala "Therefore, they need a good dressing, which helps in healing and avoids contamination.In addition, it should be able to provide antioxidant activity to decrease the inflammatory process of dead cells and pus. "
Pineapple Protein
Test Phase
To carry out the tests, bacterial nanocellulose membranes were immersed for 24 hours in a solution of bromelain. observed that, 30 minutes after its incorporation into cellulose, there was a greater release and a nine-fold increase in the antimicrobial activity of the membrane
"In in other words, a selective barrier has been created. According to her, the new dressing has already gone through the first phase of development of a drug, which is done in the laboratory, to check if it has the desired effect is non-toxic.
Now there will be phase two, which are animal testing. The work is done in the new Uniso laboratory. In addition to the curative, the new facilities will be used to test, produce and purify biomolecules of interest in various industrial segments (biotechnology, environmental, food, pharmaceutical).
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