The goal of this work was the development of natural polymeric microcapsules for antimicrobial drug delivery - triclosan loaded alginate and chitosan-based microcapsules for potential coating applications in substrates such as textiles or plastics. Microcapsules containing 2.5% (w/w) or 3% (w/w) triclosan in both core and matrix were synthesized and evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry, and antimicrobial activity. The microcapsules produced featured spherical and mostly irregularly-shaped surfaces composed by an alginate core in a chitosan outer matrix, as revealed by confocal microscopy, and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus and E. coli with inhibition halos up to 60 mm and 25 mm respectively, granted by a triclosan loading of 61.66%. The thermal analysis suggested that the polymers protected the active substance from temperature-induced degradation. In conclusion, these microcapsules may be applied toward antimicrobial functionalization of plastics, textiles and other materials.
Keywords: Biopolymers; antibacterial; chitosan; microparticles; sodium alginate; triclosan.