Evaluación de la actividad fotoprotectora del Theobroma cacao, para la formulación de un protector solar.

Abstract

The aim of this degree work was to evaluate, through in vitro tests, the photoprotective activity of Theobroma cacao for the formulation of a sunscreen. Once the plant material was collected, it was dried and crushed. Quality control of the vegetable drug was carried out. Phytochemical screening confirmed the presence of phenolic and fatty compounds. To obtain the alcoholic extract, the cacao seeds were macerated with 96% ethanol, concentrated in rotary evaporator under controlled conditions. The flavonoids were analyzed spectrophotometrically through the Aluminum Trichloride method, obtaining the following results: 308l9.80952 ± 125.3674 mg Eq Q / 100mg of dry seed extract. The determination of phenols was carried out by the Folin-Ciocalteu method obtaining the result of 46,966,666 ± 577,350 mg Eq GAE / 100 mg of dry seed extract. The dry extract showed a free radical scavenging capacity at an IC50 of 812.13 ug/ml, which was evaluated by the DPPH0 method. The photoprotective activity of the dry extract of the Theobroma cacao seeds and the photoprotective formulations were evaluated by determining the Sun Protection Factor (SPF), applying the Mansur equation. Three formulations were made to which the quality control was carried out, obtaining as a result an SPF value of 6 to 19, pH with intervals of 5.5 to 5.9, a safety under favorable conditions and suitable for human skin as indicated by the NTE INEN 2867 standard and showed stability during the period of 30 days exposed to a temperature of 40ºC and humidity of approximately 75%. It was concluded based on the quality control of the alcoholic extract and the photoprotective formulations, so it is recommended to complete the investigation with toxicity and genotoxicity tests and thus be able to certify its efficacy and safety.