Desenvolvimento e caracterização de um fio dental com própolis vermelha brasileira

Abstract

Propolis is a resinous material produced by Apis mellifera bees, from a mixture of exudates, leaves, flower and buds of plant species with bee salivary secretions. Propolis has been proven to have antimicrobial and anti inflammatory activity. This study aimed to develop polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) dental floss coated with Brazilian red propolis extract. PTFE dental floss was modified with potassium permanganate and nitric acid, and then coated with Brazilian red propolis extract (PVB) at following concentrations of 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000 µg/mL. The presence of PVB extract in the dental floss was investigated using high- performance liquid chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity of the dental floss was tested using the DPPH method and the surface morphology was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). PVB biomarkers were identified, with higher amounts of liquiritigenin (6.20µg/mL), isoliquiritigenin (6.19µg/mL) and formononetin (6.90µg/mL). The presence of PVB and antioxidant activity of the dental floss has been proven. SEM images showed that there was a change in the smooth surface of the PTFE dental floss (before), which became more porous and rougher after treatment with potassium permanganate and nitric acid. After coating with PVB extract, the dental floss appeared to have been covered with a substance that gave them a more uniform surface. Using the proposed methodology, it was possible to develop a PTFE dental floss coated with PVB at 500, 1000, 2000 and 3000µg/mL concentrations with antioxidant activity.