Desenvolvimento e avaliação de álcool gel espessado com polímero celulósico

Abstract

With the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, there arose a need for extra care in hand and surface hygiene. In some cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of alcohol-based antiseptics, and for risk mitigation, the use of gel-form products is recommended. With the exemption of registration for this product by ANVISA (Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency), the possibility of using biopolymers as a substitute for carbomer, a synthetic polymer that can cause harm to aquatic environments and allergies, has been opened. The general objective of this project was to analyze and develop sanitizing alcohol products, processes, and analytical methods, specifically aiming at promoting microbial environmental safety in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Formulations of gel alcohol were developed using hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) from two different brands, varying between thickening methods and using heating or not. Rheological and microbiological analyses were performed to characterize the product. Alcoholic conformity of commercial products was also evaluated, and 70% alcohol production was carried out to ensure the safe operation of public food services in João Pessoa. It was observed that HEC from brand D resulted in products with a greater variety of rheological behaviors and textures without the need to heat the polymeric base during production. Two texture analytical methods proved to be viable for characterizing alcohol gel formulations, with dual extrusion being suitable for fluid samples and Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) providing better resolution for strong gels. In rheological analyses, it was observed that all treatments behaved as non-Newtonian fluids, and the higher the polymer concentration used, the more pseudoplastic the alcohol gel became. The more fluid samples demonstrated their antimicrobial efficacy and are recommended for production, also because they have lower adhesiveness and spreadability equivalent to that of oil between hands, characteristics sought by consumers.