Diseño de un proceso para la obtención de una crema cicatrizante a partir del extracto de las hojas de Mosquera (Croton elegans kunth).

Abstract

The objective was to design a process for obtaining a cicatrizing cream from the extract of the mosquera leaves (Croton elegans kunth). Ecuador being a megadiverse country, allows to know the uses and healing powers of different medicinal plants, such as mosquera (Croton elegans kunth) which in previous studies has shown its cicatrizing activity, however there is no distribution of its extract. To achieve this objective, laboratory tests of pH, density, humidity, ash, refractive index, viscosity and infrared spectrum were performed in the Laboratories of Analytical and Organic Chemistry of ESPOCH. For the quality control of the raw material, a gravimetric analysis of moisture and ash was performed based on laboratory techniques. Subsequently, the alcoholic extract of the mosquera leaves was obtained by identifying the most important variable the maceration time and in the characterization of the extract it was identified that the physical-chemical analyzes comply with the results of the previous investigation. The cicatrizing cream was then made with an appropriate formulation of 2.5% extract at the laboratory level and quality control was carried out for 41 days to establish the stability (pH, color, density, smoothness and homogeneity) of the same. In addition, physical-chemical and microbiological analyzes were performed for the validation of the final product which was based on the Ecuadorian Technical Standard NTE INEN 2867: 2015 Cosmetic Products, complying with the parameters established in the standard and thus considering it acceptable. Finally, the production process was designed including: reception of the raw material, selection, washing, drying, milling, maceration, filtration, concentration, agitation, mixing, packaging and labeling. After having conducted an economic study obtaining: IRR 50% and VAN $ 22,423.24 is economically acceptable. It is recommended to follow all the necessary parameters to be able to industrialize this product.