Antimicrobial Activity of Polycaprolactone Nanofiber Coated with Lavender and Neem Oil Nanoemulsions against Airborne Bacteria

• Published in: Membranes (Basel) 2024-01, Vol.14 (2), p.36
• Main Authors: Rahman, Md Mahfuzur, Kotturi, Hari, Nikfarjam, Sadegh, Bhargava, Kanika, Ahsan, Nagib, Khandaker, Morshed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Air purification; Airborne bacteria; Airborne infection; Airborne microorganisms; Antimicrobial activity; Antimicrobial agents; B. subtilis; Bacillus subtilis; Bacteria; Biodegradation; Chemical properties; Coliforms; Color measurement; Contamination; Disinfection; Droplets; E coli; Emulsions; Escherichia coli; Essential oils; Health aspects; Indoor air quality; Lavender oil; Margosa; Microorganisms; Minimum inhibitory concentration; nanoemulsion; Nanoemulsions; Nanotechnology; Neem; Neem oil; Outdoor air quality; Personal grooming; pH effects; Physicochemical properties; Polycaprolactone; Polydispersity; Polyesters; Prevention; Public health; S. aureus; Skin; Staphylococcus aureus
• ISSN: 2077-0375; 2077-0375
• DOI: 10.3390/membranes14020036

The development of efficient, eco-friendly antimicrobial agents for air purification and disinfection addresses public health issues connected to preventing airborne pathogens. Herein, the antimicrobial activity of a nanoemulsion (control, 5%, 10%, and 15%) containing neem and lavender oils with polycaprolactone (PCL) was investigated against airborne bacteria, including , , and . Various parameters such as the physicochemical properties of the nanoemulsion, pH, droplet size, the polydispersity index (PDI), the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), the minimum bacterial concentration (MBC), and the color measurement of the emulsion have been evaluated and optimized. Our results showed that the antimicrobial activity of PCL combined with neem and lavender oil was found to be the highest MIC and MBC against all tested bacteria. The droplet sizes for lavender oil are 21.86-115.15 nm, the droplet sizes for neem oil are 23.92-119.15 nm, and their combination is 25.97-50.22 nm. The range of pH and viscosity of nanoemulsions of various concentrations was found to be 5.8 to 6.6 pH and 0.372 to 2.101 cP. This study highlights the potential of nanotechnology in harnessing the antimicrobial properties of natural essential oils, paving the way for innovative and sustainable solutions in the fight against bacterial contamination.