Sustainability has been an important issue in cosmetic industry, resulting in increasing concerns about environmental impacts, starting by the selection of raw materials. The aim of this work was the production of biopolymeric films based on a cassava starch and gelatin mixture (1:1) with the incorporation of natural antioxidants, such as vitamin C and catuaba extract aiming its future use as an eco-friendly cosmetic. Films were produced by casting (2.0 g polymer/100 g filmogenic solution) employing glycerol (20 g/100 g polymer) as plasticizer, and vitamin C (0−10.0 g/100 g polymer) and catuaba extract (0−1.5 g/100 g polymer) were added as bioactive compounds. All formulations resulted in films with good appearance and homogeneity. All films produced with vitamin C and catuaba extract had their antioxidant capacity demonstrated, the catuaba extract films presented an antioxidant capacity values between 6.65% and 57.56%, and the vitamin C films presented values between 75.62% and 100%, even in those produced with low concentrations. Films loaded with vitamin C (10 g/100 g polymer) presented the highest antioxidant capacity (93.33%). Films prepared with 1.5 g catuaba extract/100 g polymer and all vitamin C formulations are promising alternatives for use as sustainable cosmetic products.

Medicinal plants play an important role in human health care. It is estimated that about 25–30% of all drugs are evaluated as therapeutic agents derived from natural products. Research in the pharmaceutical industry has demonstrated that for complex diseases, natural products still represent a valuable source for the production of new chemical compounds, since they possess privileged structures. Among Brazilian biodiversity, “catuaba” is popularly used as a tonic to treat fatigue, stress, impotence, memory deficits, and digestive disorders. Studies show antibacterial, trypanocidal, antioxidant, antiarrhythmic, antidepressant, improvement of memory, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, as well as phytocosmetic activity in cellulite treatment and in anti-ageing. The Brazilian plants known and used as catuaba are represented by more than twenty different species; however, the plant most commonly found in Brazil as “catuaba” is the species Trichilia catigua A. Juss., Meliaceae. Thus, the aim of this paper is to present a review of T. catigua, with emphasis on biological activities, chemical and analytical development and formulations in order to provide a broader and deeper insight, seeking a herbal medicine and/or phytocosmetic as well as future prospects for commercial exploitation and directions for future studies