Elaboration and characterization of sodium carboxymethylcellulose films impregnated with honey from stingless bees and their extracts
carboxymethylcellulose, stingless bee honey, hydrogels.
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is one of the major water-soluble polymers derived from cellulose, whose viscosity and adsorptive capacity can be modulated by varying pH, concentration and temperature. It can act as a hydrocolloid, forming a gel or a viscous dispersion in water. Carboxymethylcellulose has recently been used in dressings for the treatment of wounds and burns in order to improve the healing process and canbe used purely or in combination with other polymers. Due to its hygroscopic characteristic, carboxymethylcellulosepromotes the autolytic debridement of wounds (softening and removal of the devitalized tissue), aids cellular rehydration and presents bacteriostatic action, being therefore applicable in wounds with crusts, fibrins, devitalized and necrosed tissues. Although honey has been used in dressings for hundreds of years, several recent studies have explained its effectiveness in the healing process. Its high osmolarity favors the absorption of wound exudatesand its acidity favors the release of oxygen by hemoglobin, making the environment of the wound less susceptibleto the activity of destructive proteases. Honey also has a wide antibacterial activity due to the presence of phenolic substances, favoring the maintenance of wound asepsis and preventing the development of infectious complications. This work aims to study the incorporation and release of phenolic substances present in honeys and in honeydew bee honey extracts in sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) hydrogel films, as well as to evaluate the physicochemical composition, identify potential biomarkers study the in vitro antioxidant capacity of different stingless bee honey samples. The development of this hydrogel type, associated with the antimicrobial, antioxidant and healing benefits of stingless bee honeys, can contribute to the progress of woundtreatment and consequently to the improvement of the quality of life and health in our country.