Taro Mucilage: Extraction, Characterization, and Application in Cosmetic Formulations.

Taro mucilage, a hydrocolloid present in the rhizome of Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott, was extracted and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis, and proximal composition. In addition, cosmetic formulations based on extracted mucilage were developed and studied. The mucilage presented a semicrystalline structure with high thermal stability, the presence of granules along its surface area, and good emulsifying activity. High physical-chemical stability was also found in the mucilage and the cosmetic formulations during storage. All cream samples presented pseudoplastic behavior, with a flow behavior index lower than 1, which is a desirable characteristic for cosmetics, as it improves its applicability. The mucilage demonstrates potential for application in cosmetic products, and its commercial use as an ingredient in cosmetics could be a strategic tool for the creation of a new product chain and adding value to the culture of Colocasia0 esculenta.

Chemical Characterization, Antioxidant Capacity and Antimicrobial Potential of Essential Oil from the Leaves of Baccharis oreophila Malme.

This is the first time that composition, antimicrobial potential and antioxidant ability of essential oil from the leaves of Baccharis oreophila are reported. Essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC/MS. Antimicrobial potential was evaluated by diffusion disk and broth microdilution methods. ABTS.+ , DPPH. and FRAP methods were employed for antioxidant activity evaluation. Essential oil yield was 0.47 %. Sixty-five compounds were identified, representing 88.53 % of the total essential oil, which showed to be rich in oxygenated (37.88 %) and hydrocarbons sesquiterpenes (34.84 %). The main constituents were khusimone (16.37 %) and spathulenol (16.12 %). Antimicrobial activity was verified against S. aureus (10.33±0.5 mm, MIC: 1250 µg mL-1 ) and C. albicans (8.66±0.5 mm, MIC: >2500 µg mL.1 ). Antioxidant ability was evidenced by FRAP (4.09 µmol FeSO4 E mL-1 ), ABTS.+ (1.45 µmol TE mL-1 ) and DPPH. (1.04 µmol TE mL-1 ) scavenging capacity. Results showed that this essential oil has interesting biological potential, encouraging further investigations especially in relation to action mechanisms of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity.