OBTAINING A SCAFFOLD BASED ON POLYSACCHARIDE EXTRACTED FROM THE FIBROUS RESIDUE OF *ANACARDIUM OCCIDENTALE* L. FOR DRUG DELIVERY

Anacardium occidentale, known as the cashew tree, is a plant native to Brazil, particularly abundant in the Northeast, which is responsible for 98% of the species' production. Cashew cultivation yields two main products: the nut, used for oil extraction and edible kernels, and the pseudofruit, which can be consumed directly or processed into various foods. After the pseudofruit is pulped, the remaining bagasse accounts for 15% of the mass and is a still underutilized residue, despite its rich composition, which includes tannins, carotenoids, cellulose, and pectin, as well as antioxidant properties. Due to global sustainability trends, cashew bagasse has gained prominence as a source of valuable compounds, especially polysaccharides. These biomaterials show promise in the pharmaceutical field, where they can be used as vectors for controlled drug release, given their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Such systems offer benefits such as the precise delivery of active substances, reduced doses and side effects, as well as potential for cell regeneration and the transport of growth factors.