Composição química, fitoquímica e dosagem de metais pesados das cascas das folhas secas e do gel liofilizado de Aloe Vera cultivadas em hortas comunitárias da cidade de Palmas, Tocantins

Abstract

The consumption of plants with therapeutic purpose presents itself as an inexhaustible source in the production of medicines. Metabolites produced, mainly secondary metabolites, have become a source of potentially useful molecules for humans, with great interest in the food, pharmacological and cosmetic sectors. Therefore the analysis of chemical composition of plants is important, given the great interest in identifying the biological activities present. Aloe vera, popularly known as aloe, belonging to the Liliaceae family. It presents more than 75 components with potential pharmaceutical action, the active molecules being distributed both in the gel and in the bark of the leaf. So this work had as objective. Carry out analyzes of chemical composition, phytochemical screening and evaluate the presence of heavy metals in aloe (Aloe vera) grown in community gardens in the city of Palmas. Adult leaves were collected in seven community gardens. After removal of the mucilaginous contents for lyophilization, the leaf husks were submitted to drying in a circulation oven. The centesimal composition, moisture (moisture determinant), carbohydrates (method by difference), lipids (Soxhlet method, IAL, 2008), ashes, crude protein and crude fiber were performed according to AOAC (2005) method, Spectrophotometry of atomic absorption, phytochemical research according to Matos (1997), phytochemical analysis by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). And determination of heavy metals followed the methodology proposed by Embrapa (2009). The moisture content had a variance between 07.06 and 10.62%, while the mean percentages of ash, crude protein, lipids and crude fiber were 13.62 to 32.63, 5.58 to 7.47, 0.58 To 2.04, 16.22 to 16.49% respectively. The phytochemical analysis allowed the identification of gallic acid, catechin, gallocatechin, ellagic acid, naringin, myricetin, quercetin and kaempeferol. Such compounds are arranged in the literature as potential beneficial to human health. No presence of heavy metal was detected in the analyzed samples. The investigation of this work provided a piece of information on the chemical composition, bioactive compound and heavy metal contaminates for Aloe vera plants grown in community gardens in the city of Palmas - TO. Further research will be needed throughout the year to assess how seasonality can interfere with the content of such compounds.