As the issue of antimicrobial resistance continues to grow, there is a renewed interest in deriving antimicrobial products from natural compounds, particularly extracts from plant materials. This paper describes how essential oil can be extracted from the common herb, thyme (
Thymus vulgaris
) in the classroom. Subsequently, the extract can be tested for its antimicrobial activity. A number of variables are suggested.
The fabrication of silicone elastomers containing organo-silane modified Ag-zeolites with potential for applications as antibacterial medical devices is demonstrated.
Summary
An essential oil (EO) blend has been identified that provides a broad spectrum potent antimicrobial effect. Adsorption of the EO onto porous silicate materials (Rockwood Additives: Laponite® B, Laponite® RD and Fulcat® 800) and has been analysed and it was found that Laponite® RD organically modified with dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (2HT2M) at 50% cation exchange capacity gave the highest levels of adsorption. The Laponite® RD 2HT2M with EO blend adsorbed has been added to polymer materials to produce an antimicrobial polymer. The adsorption of the EO onto the Laponite® RD was done to achieve controlled release of the EO to prolong the antimicrobial effect within the polymer.
Addition of the EO loaded substrates into silicone elastomer has resulted in successfully conferring a high level of antimicrobial activity to the polymer.
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