Efficacy of poly(lactic acid)/carvacrol electrospun membranes against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans in single and mixed cultures

Abstract

Carvacrol (CAR) is one of the most promising essential oil components with antimicrobial activity. New technologies aimed to incorporate this active molecule into carrier matrix to improve the stability and prolong the biological activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the feasibility of incorporating CAR into electrospun membranes of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) for potential applications as active antimicrobial system. To this end, PLA membranes containing homogeneously dispersed CAR were successfully prepared and a series of systematic tests including morpho-mechanical properties, in vitro release rate, and antimicrobial/antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans were carried out. The results revealed that CAR has a good compatibility with PLA and acts as a plasticizer, improving flexibility and extensibility of the matrix. The gradual release of CAR from PLA membranes warranted a significant antimicrobial activity up to 144 h and reduced the biofilm production by 92-96 and 88-95% of S. aureus and C. albicans in single and mixed cultures. A strong decrease of cell count, biomass, metabolic activity, and vitality of established 24- and 48-h biofilms were also demonstrated. In conclusion, this work highlights the potential of electrospun nanofibrous membranes as efficient stabilizers-carriers of CAR and opens up interesting perspectives on the use of this system as new tool for skin and wound bacterial-fungal infections.

Evaluation of the single and combined antibacterial efficiency of essential oils for controlling Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and mixed cultures

“…The mixture of cardamom, cumin, and dill weed EOs resulted in the lowest MIC value (0.012 μL/mL) against a mixed culture of C. coli and C. jejuni . The additive and synergetic interactions of the combination of EOs and their components against mixed cultures identified in the present study has been previously reported . Similarly, the combination of all EOs excluding the cumin and dill weed EO demonstrated the lowest FIC index against the mixed bacterial culture of C. coli and C. jejuni .…”

Preparation of hierarchically structured PCL superhydrophobic membrane via alternate electrospinning/electrospraying techniques

“…Due to the nontoxicity, robust mechanical properties and excellent biodegradability, polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactide (PLA) become polymer candidates for superhydrophobic materials . Scaffaro et al prepared PCL 3D porous sponge by adding water‐soluble porogen agents (NaCl and poly[ethylene glycol]) for the selective absorption of oil from water .…”

“…Due to the nontoxicity, robust mechanical properties and excellent biodegradability, polycaprolactone (PCL) and polylactide (PLA) become polymer candidates for superhydrophobic materials. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Scaffaro et al prepared PCL 3D porous sponge by adding water-soluble porogen agents (NaCl and poly[ethylene glycol]) for the selective absorption of oil from water. 33 Because the insufficient superhydrophobicity of pure PCL nanofiber mats, researchers blended hydrophobic substances in polymer to improve the superhydrophobicity of the membranes.…”

The Effects of Nanoclay on the Mechanical Properties, Carvacrol Release and Degradation of a PLA/PBAT Blend

“…Carvacrol release was assessed via UV-vis spectroscopy, performed in a UV-vis Specord 252 spectrophotometer (Analytik Jena, Jena, Germany), by monitoring the characteristic signal centered at 273 nm [23]. Spectroscopic data were converted into concentrations by using a calibration line, constructed according to our previous works [23][24][25]. Release tests were performed by immersing a pre-weighed sample (a disk having 25 mm diameter) in 10 mL of deionized distilled water (DDW) and then monitoring the absorbance of carvacrol at predetermined time intervals.…”