title: All-natural composite wound dressing films of essential oils encapsulated in sodium alginate with antimicrobial properties.
abstract: We present natural polymeric composite films made of essential oils (EOs) dispersed in sodium alginate (NaAlg) matrix, with remarkable anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Namely, elicriso italic, chamomile blue, cinnamon, lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and lemon oils were encapsulated in the films as potential active substances. Glycerol was used to induce plasticity and surfactants were added to improve the dispersion of EOs in the NaAlg matrix. The topography, chemical composition, mechanical properties, and humidity resistance of the films are presented analytically. Antimicrobial tests were conducted on films containing different percentages of EOs against Escherichia coli bacteria and Candida albicans fungi, and the films were characterized as effective or not. Such diverse types of essential oil-fortified alginate films can find many applications mainly as disposable wound dressings but also in food packaging, medical device protection and disinfection, and indoor air quality improvement materials, to name a few.
authors.affiliation: Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: ioannis.liakos@iit.it.
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Liakos
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia @UniLe, via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Loris
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rizzello
authors.affiliation: University of Nottingham, School of Pharmacy, Biophysics and Surface Analysis, Boots Science Building, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scurr
authors.affiliation: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia @UniLe, via Barsanti, 73010 Arnesano, Lecce, Italy.
authors.forename: Pier Paolo
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Pompa
authors.affiliation: Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: ilker.bayer@iit.it.
authors.forename: Ilker S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.affiliation: Nanophysics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), via Morego 30, 16163 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: athanassia.athanassiou@iit.it.
authors.forename: Athanassia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Athanassiou
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D001458:Bandages; D002176:Candida albicans / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D005990:Glycerol / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D005990:Glycerol
keywords: Antimicrobial wound dressings; Essential oils; Natural materials; Sodium alginate; Surface analysis