Antimicrobial activity of biopolymer associated with essential oils
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13174Keywords:
Products with Antimicrobial Action, Origanum vulgare, Melaleuca, Essential Oils, ChitosanAbstract
The objective of this study was to develop chitosan-based biopolymers associated with essential oils with antimicrobial properties. Chitosan was prepared from a solution, followed by the addition of essential oils at specific concentrations, and the materials were subjected to organoleptic analysis, gas chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and swelling degree evaluation. Antimicrobial activity was assessed using the agar disk diffusion method with microbial suspensions. The major compounds identified by chromatography in oregano and tea tree essential oils were carvacrol and 3-carene, respectively. The chitosan membranes associated with the tested oils showed hydrophilicity in the polymeric matrix according to the swelling degree analysis, while FTIR results indicated interactions between the chitosan matrix and the incorporated oils. Organoleptic analysis demonstrated high homogeneity of the films, and in the evaluation of antimicrobial activity, the film-forming emulsions exhibited inhibition zones against the tested microorganisms. These analyses demonstrate the feasibility of developing a biopolymer with promising potential for biomedical applications.
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