Herbal essential oils possess tremendous anti-fungal activity against drug-resistant fungi. However, their utilisation is limited owing to their sensitivity towards temperature and light. Here, three essential oils (thymol, eugenol, carvacrol) are microencapsulated in polylactic acid shell with a high encapsulation efficiency of over 80 % in order to leverage their synergistic anti-fungal activity. These microcapsules are further incorporated in bacterial cellulose – a naturally produced nanofibrous hydrogel. This unique system offers double barrier to the release of oils – the shell and the nanofibrous matrix, which leads to the controlled release. The effect of polymer and surfactant concentrations on microcapsule morphology, encapsulation efficiency and further on release is investigated. The anti-fungal testing was carried out on model fungus- <i>Candida albicans</i>, which causes the most common infection amongst women, vaginal candidiasis. <i>In vitro</i> transvaginal drug release study was performed to compare release from microcapsules as colloids and the composites. The composites were found to exhibit a controlled release as against the initial burst release observed from colloids. The release is governed by matrix swelling, diffusion of oils and erosion of microcapsules and is supported by mathematical modelling. The anti-fungal activity was sustained for 72h in composites and only 24h for colloids. The time kill curves show that the composites were able to achieve fungicidal end point with half the oil dosage as compared to the colloidal microcapsules and were far more effective than commercial antifungal fluconazole.

Bacterial cellulose with microencapsulated antifungal essential oils: Novel double barrier release system

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.