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

Md Mahfuzur Rahman; Hari Kotturi; Sadegh Nikfarjam; Kanika Bhargava; Nagib Ahsan; Morshed Khandaker

doi:10.3390/membranes14020036

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

Membranes (Basel). 2024 Jan 29;14(2):36. doi: 10.3390/membranes14020036.

Authors

Md Mahfuzur Rahman¹, Hari Kotturi², Sadegh Nikfarjam², Kanika Bhargava¹, Nagib Ahsan^{3

4}, Morshed Khandaker⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034, USA.
² Department of Biology, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034, USA.
³ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
⁴ Mass Spectrometry, Proteomics and Metabolomics Core Facility, Stephenson Life Sciences Research Center, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK 73019, USA.
⁵ Nanobiology Laboratory, School of Engineering, University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond, OK 73034, USA.

Abstract

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 Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. 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.

Keywords: B. subtilis; E. coli; S. aureus; antimicrobial activity; lavender oil; nanoemulsion; neem oil; sonication.

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the ENF Products, LLC (Edmond, OK, USA) through Oklahoma Center for Advancement of Science & Technology (OCAST) OCAST-Internship Partnership grant provided to Md Mahfuzur Rahman (MR). Also, Dr. Morshed Khandaker 2023-24 CURE-STEM, faculty on campus grant, and Student Research and Sponsored Programs (RCSA) Grant Programs at the University of Central Oklahoma was used to support the research project.