Reaproveitamento de resíduos alimentares para extração de óleo essencial e fabricação de sabonete artesanal medicinal

Abstract

It is common to observe disposal without any reuse of dry or organic waste. Food waste represents a relevant portion of the produced waste, as is the case of citrus fruits. Despite the consumption of the fruit itself or the juice, the peel is wasted, causing the loss of potential products present in it, such as essential oils, used in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical sectors due to their varied properties. Another household waste is vegetable oil, which is important for human consumption, but due to incorrect disposal, it has serious environmental impacts. This work was conducted during Pharmacognosy subject in Pharmacy course aimed to promote practical activities in laboratory and awaken ideas of sustainability in the students. In this context, the extraction of essential oil was performed from reused orange peel and rosemary leaves, for the manufacture of therapeutic soaps from the reuse of vegetable oil. As a result, a sustainable soap was obtained with medicinal characteristics. This practice has become quite effective, demonstrating its possible applicability to places that produce these types of waste.