**Abstract**

This chapter deals with the ozonization process of the emu oil, the objective of this study was to quantitatively determine the peroxide value (PV) to measure the degree of ozonation, the peroxide value measures the number of peroxide groups in the ozonized oil. The ozone oxidizes the unsaturated chemical functions present in the oil giving a high cure rate for epidermal wounds. The healing process is not completely understood and there are different approaches, therefore, it was determined qualitatively if it has healing and inflammation properties, but the results of our studies have shown that the length and width of the wounds were healing quickly thanks to the peroxidation rate of the oils. In addition, both tests were correlated to obtain a greater appreciation of their functions, the mechanism involves a decrease in the inflammation of the wounds and stimulates the process of scar formation.

**Keywords:** ozonization, emu oil, peroxide value, healing, inflammation

#### **1. Introduction**

The skin is a fibroelastic membrane, considered the "outer covering of the body"; It is an organ that performs a wide range of functions including thermoregulation, protection against external aggressions, the absorption of ultraviolet radiation and the production of vitamin D. Additionally, it has an important function of immune recognition, it is an effective protection barrier against pathogenic microorganisms, being the largest organ of the integumentary system and a powerful receptor of sensory stimuli [1]. The frequent exposure to environmental aggressions makes this organ susceptible to suffer injuries that compromise its integrity altering the normal development of its functions [2]. One of the factors that compromise the continuity of this tissue are chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers (PPU), which have been a public health problem that mainly affects those persons who must remain in bed for long periods of time as consequence of chronic diseases [3] or acute dermatitis [4], which affects all human races and more frequently women. Pressure ulcers (PPU) can be presented at any age; however, it predominates in childhood, being more frequent before 5 years of age and persists in adulthood in up to 60–70% of patients [5]. Emu oil is known for the use that the natives of Australia gave it as a remedy to alleviate different ailments for 200 years [6]. In the First World War, ozonated oils were used for therapeutic purposes, as well as the healing of wounds and fissures [7]. Ozonated oils showed their role as modulators of wound healing [8]. The reaction of ozone with the unsaturations present in the fatty acids and other free acids of natural oils generate products such as ozonides and peroxides with germicidal activity and tissue regeneration [9]. The application of ozonated vegetable oil for wound healing quantification in mice, has shown that this oil must be ozonated until a "mean degree" of peroxidation is reached (PV = 1631 ± 64 mEq/kg) [10]. On the other hand, the periodic application of completely ozonated olive oil (iodine value = 0) caused in the skin hypersensitivity to contact and loss of hair in the application zone [11]. Furthermore, it is commonly observed that these ozonated oils present a delayed action [12]. A few crude oils from vegetable origin have the property of healing, once ozonized they acquire this property [13]. The search in the main platforms of scientific information on the ozonization of oils of animal origin throws information that lacks depth to know the effects of the products or by-products in the human body, which does not allow to find a relationship between different ozonized oils, in order to develop a synthetic ozonized oil. Therefore, a need is created to develop research that help to clarify the mechanisms of action of ozonized animal oil, for its greater compression and create the possibility of application. The objective of this work is to quantitatively determine the peroxide value (PV) to measure the degree of ozonation, determine qualitatively if it has healing and inflammation properties, in addition, correlate both tests to obtain a greater appreciation of its functions.
