Alternativa biodegradável de consumo utilizados na reprodução animal

Biotechnology has greatly contributed to improving reproductive rates in livestock farming. Many consumable materials are used during these procedures, such as palpation gloves, pipettes, sanitary sleeves, and insemination sheaths, all of which are discarded after a single use. The disposal of these materials has become an environmental problem not only due to the potential spread of pathogenic microorganisms (classified as group A health solid waste), but mainly because of their long decomposition time in nature, as all available domestic products on the market are made from non-biodegradable plastic polymers. The polyethylene polymers used in the manufacture of these materials, when degraded in the environment, give rise to microparticles known as microplastics (MP). MPs are solid particles that, if present in natural ecosystems, can be incorporated into animal tissues through ingestion or respiration, and the impacts on human health have yet to be measured. It then becomes important to propose the production of these materials from a sustainable, biodegradable raw material. Thus, the objective of this work was to define a biopolymer that meets the physical and biological characteristics necessary for the production of consumable materials for use in veterinary practice, such as biodegradable palpation gloves and sanitary sleeves. The methodology consisted of selecting and developing the biopolymer to be used, which meets the physical specifications of resistance and flexibility, with tests for gel fraction and swelling degree being conducted. The selected biopolymer was subjected to in vitro spermiotoxicity testing to meet biological specifications for non-toxicity, with tests for sperm motility and sperm membrane integrity. Subsequently, a palpation glove prototype was developed, undergoing tension-deformation tests to evaluate its resistance and tactile capability. The selected biopolymer was efficient, presenting excellent applicability, and the prototype was successfully developed, meeting the necessary requirements.