Obtenção de um insumo farmacêutico ativo vegetal a partir da Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) por spray drying e sua caracterização físico-química.

Abstract

Brazil’s rich plant biodiversity and the growing use of plant-based medicines have contributed to the increased production of herbal medicinal products. Nopalea cochenillifera (L.), commonly known as ‘palm’, is a cactus species native to Mexico, cultivated in the semi-arid northeast of Brazil due to its resistance to drought conditions. This plant is rich in water, minerals, vitamins, phenolic compounds and flavonoids, and exhibits pharmacological properties such as wound healing, hepatoprotective, and hypoglycaemic effects. The aim of this study was to obtain and characterise a stable herbal active pharmaceutical ingredient (IFAV) from Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) using the spray drying technique. The process resulted in a satisfactory yield of 46.1%, with a moisture content ranging from 5.63% to 7.99%. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 10.16 mg GAE/g and 1.39 mg QE/g, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed that the particles had a rounded morphology with a rough surface. Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) demonstrated compatibility and interactions between the active ingredient and the excipients, while X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the amorphous nature of the powder. Thus, it was possible to obtain an active pharmaceutical ingredient from Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) via spray drying, maintaining its characteristic properties and ensuring compatibility within the formulation.