Synthesis of polymeric fibers incorporated with pineapple peel with potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory application in the cosmetic industry Academic Article in Scopus uri icon

abstract

  • In higher education, fostering an environment that encourages student engagement in real-world challenges is crucial for professional development.This principle underpins our collaborative effort with 8th-semester nanotechnology engineering students.Through innovative approaches like synthesizing polymeric fibers incorporating pineapple peel, we address environmental concerns and exploit the untapped potential of pineapple waste.The pineapple industry annually generates significant non-utilized waste, primarily stems, crowns, and peels, comprising up to 67% of the whole fruit.Pineapple peel, rich in bioactive compounds like polyphenols, holds promise for applications in the cosmetic industry, potentially enhancing products such as pull-off formulations, if they are incorporated and stabilized in suitable delivery systems.In the present work, Polylactic acid (PLA) and Polycaprolactone (PCL) fibers loaded with 10, 20, and 30 % Pineapple peel powder (PP) were synthesized using a commercial extrusion machine.Fourier Transform Infrared and Differential Scanning Calorimetry confirmed effective PP incorporation into the fibers due to the formation of new chemical bonds and interactions.The morphological characterization performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) reveals that the cross-sectional lengths of the fibers range from 3.7 ¿m to 90.19 ¿m.High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Folin-Ciocalteu method assessed phenolic compound content and release rates.PLA fiber with 20 % of PP showed the maximum retention of phenolic compounds, with 1243.69± 234.14 µg compound/g fiber), whilst the PCL fibers showed a rapid release, up to 95.79 ± 5.94 % in 24 hrs.These results show the feasibility of a commercial extrusion machine to synthesize polymeric microfibers with potential use in the cosmetic industry as a delivery system for phenolic compounds found in pineapple peel. © 2024 Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions. All rights reserved.

publication date

  • January 1, 2024