AMORIM, W. G. A.; AMORIM, Walter Gleybson Antas de.
Resumo:
The present work aimed to develop and comparatively evaluate chitosan porous
membranes with different concentrations of Cissus verticillata (L.) Nicolson & C. E.
Jarvis (insulin) to be applied as a biomaterial. The collection, botanic identification of
the plant and obtainment of the crude ethanolic extract (CEE) was carried out. The
solvent evaporation technique was used in order to obtain the chitosan membranes
and membranes with CEE. The membranes were neutralized with ammonium
hydroxide, placed to dry at room temperature and stored individually. Three groups of
membranes were formed: CM – Chitosan membrane, CM5 – Chitosan membrane
with 5% of CEE and CM20 – Chitosan membrane with 20% of CEE. The membranes
were characterized by means of the Wettability and the Swelling Degree Tests. The
wettability test revealed that all the membranes presented contact angle values lower
than 90º, characterizing a hydrophilic profile, and that the presence of the plant drug
promoted an increase in their hydrophilicity. The analysis of the swelling
demonstrated that the averages of the masses were correspondingly higher in the
swollen form than in the dry condition, and there were significant differences between
the groups. It is concluded, by the characterizations carried out, that the membranes
presented favorable and expected characteristics for use as a biomaterial.
