Análise multivariada aplicada no estudo de dentifrícios comercializados no Brasil

Abstract

In this work we investigate the similarity between the chemical compositions described on the packaging of Brazilian dentifrice samples and the concentrations of fluoride and pH in dentifrices marketed in South Brazil. For this study, the samples (n = 41) were purchased from the Santa Maria/RS trade. The fluoride concentration analyzes were performed in triplicate, with fluoride selective ion electrode. Two fluoride forms were analyzed, available total fluoride and free fluoride. For which different samples were prepared in order to release the fluoride in each one of forms. The pH measurements were also performed with direct potentiometry with selective ion glass electrode. Hierarchical Grouping Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used as chemometric tools to evaluate similarities in chemical composition and sample distinctions. The mean total fluorine concentration available about the fluoride value described in the sample packets with fluorine source Na2PO3F and CaCO3 abrasive was 40.2%. Yet, the mean of the total fluorine concentration available in silica and silica abrasive dentifrices fluoride source was 74.7%. The results presented for the pH ranged from 5.82 to 9.53. All 41 samples analyzed were divided into 5 different groups by HCA analysis. In PCA analysis, PC1 and PC2 presented explained variance of 81.35%. The results of PCA showed that formulations based on NaF and silica presented higher concentrations of fluoride. Can still be inferred that the samples with higher concentrations of free fluorine have lower pH. Many dentifrices used in this study may have questionable anticary effectiveness as a result of the lack of available fluoride. Posteriorly, a minimum concentration of fluoride available in dentifrices should be established for a significant anticariogenic effect, requiring a review of national and international resolutions that do not specify this important criterion.