Potencial lipídico de jacarés da Amazônia como matéria-prima para nutracêuticos

Abstract

The oils of animal origin have been a study material regarding their usefulness in the pharmacological and nutritional area, analyzing the possible actions, effects and benefits regarding their use. These oils are composed of fatty acids and glycerol, some of which are called essential, those not produced by the body, but which must be ingested to maintain its proper functioning. Some of these, the so-called omega 3 and omega 6, have various actions in the body, and are the subject of studies by nutritionists and health professionals because of their important functions. These fatty acids can be found for example in fish, birds, and even reptiles. Of these reptiles, alligators are abundant in the Amazon Region, which feed on other fish and shellfish and arouse commercial interest due to their meat, leather and also their fat. Studies conducted with oils of animal species indicate that they may have antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, giving them relevance in health and also in the nutritional area. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the potential of alligator oil (Melanosuchus niger) in relation to the actions mentioned above, and to characterize the oil with regard to acidity and peroxide index during 90 days in 3 different environments (refrigerator at 8ºC, room temperature at 25ºC, and oven at 45ºC), as well as to analyze through lipid NMR and HPLCAPCI-MS. Antifungal and antibacterial activity tests were performed using disc diffusion method in culture medium using Candida albicans strain and Staphyloccocus aureus, respectively. The antioxidant action test was performed first with Alamar Blue cytotoxicity test and ROS inhibition action on MRC-5 fibroblasts. The anti-inflammatory action test was performed with MTT cytotoxicity test and inhibition of NO production in macrophages. The acidity rates observed were 6.4 mg KOH / g, considered high compared to results obtained in other studies, and the peroxides were also high, 24.42 mEq / kg on the first day of the test, indicative. oil degradation during transport. The lipid profile observed in the tests indicated that the oil was composed mainly of linoleic, linolenic, oleic, palmitic and stearic acid, in different combinations forming 16 types of triacylglycerols and their isomers. The oil showed no antioxidant, antifungal or antibacterial action, but the strain for antibacterial test showed resistance to some antibiotics so it is suspected that this resistance may have influenced the result. Although the oil did not show anti-inflammatory action in the test performed, other authors point out that Melanosuchus niger oil does have anti-inflammatory action, but by other means of inflammation. Thus, the results obtained in this test, when compared with other research results, may indicate that alligator oil interferes with the action of COX-2, hence its anti-inflammatory potential. New tests should be performed, regarding the anti-inflammatory potential, in in vivo models to better elucidate the mechanism of action of this material, which may open doors for the creation of new products.