Antimicrobial emulsion (coating) based on biopolymer containing neem (Melia azardichta) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract for wound covering

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Jagannath, J.H. | Radhika, M.

Affiliations: Defence Bioengineering and Electrochemical Laboratory, Bangalore, India

Note: [] Corresponding author: J.H. Jagannath, Defence Bioengineering & Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), C.V. Raman Nagar, Bangalore 560093, India. Tel.: +9180 25058437; Fax: +9180 252820011; E-mail: mursradhika@yahoo.co.in.

Abstract: Polymeric bio-adhesives emulsion which is biodegradable and non-toxic containing antimicrobial agents can play an important role in preventing infection in wound covering and coating for surgical implants. Therefore a bioadhesive polymer was synthesized by semi-Interpenetrating Network process using blend of shellac, casein and polyvinyl alcohol and Maleic anhydride (MA) as reactive compatibilizer. The synthesized polymer was mixed with neem and turmeric extract and homogenized using an emulsifier. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to measure the molecular miscibility of biopolymer components and emulsion constituents. Stability of emulsion (coating) was measured by keeping property and accelerated stability test. Antimicrobial properties were evaluated for human pathogenic organisms namely E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella typhimurium using well diffusion assay. The results indicate that stability, miscibility and antimicrobial properties of bioadhesive was satisfactory, however further in vivo studies are required to ascertain suitability of emulsion (coating) for biomedical use.

Keywords: Molecular miscibility, glass transition temperature, emulsion stability, semi-IPN, bioadhesive

Journal: Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering, vol. 16, no. 5, pp. 329-336, 2006