Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
07:47
An Antimicrobial Fabric Using Nano-Herbal Encapsulation of Essential Oils
Published on: April 7, 2023
Thymol nanospheres as an effective anti-bacterial agent
Anna Wattanasatcha1, Sirirat Rengpipat, Supason Wanichwecharungruang
1Program of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics
|June 16, 2012
Summary
Thymol, a natural compound, demonstrated potent antibacterial effects. Encapsulating thymol in submicron spheres enhanced its long-term efficacy in cosmetic formulations against common bacteria like E. coli and S. aureus.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Materials Science
- Cosmetic Science
Background:
- Natural compounds are increasingly explored for antimicrobial properties in cosmetics.
- Thymol exhibits significant antibacterial activity but requires formulation for stability and sustained release.
- Conventional preservatives like methylparaben face scrutiny, driving the need for alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate thymol's antibacterial efficacy compared to other natural compounds.
- To develop and characterize thymol-loaded ethylcellulose/methylcellulose submicron spheres.
- To assess the antimicrobial performance of encapsulated thymol in cosmetic formulations.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of antibacterial activity of five natural compounds against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Encapsulation of thymol into water-dispersible ethylcellulose/methylcellulose spheres.
- Determination of minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) for encapsulated and unencapsulated thymol.
- Inclusion of encapsulated thymol in cosmetic lotion, cream, and aqueous gel formulations for long-term bacterial growth suppression testing.
Main Results:
- Thymol exhibited superior antibacterial activity against S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa compared to other tested compounds.
- High thymol loading (43.53%) was achieved in submicron spheres.
- Encapsulated thymol demonstrated comparable or superior MIC/MBC values to unencapsulated thymol and methylparaben.
- Cosmetic formulations with encapsulated thymol provided complete bacterial suppression for three months, outperforming unencapsulated thymol (2-4 weeks).
Conclusions:
- Thymol is a potent natural antibacterial agent.
- Ethylcellulose/methylcellulose submicron spheres effectively encapsulate thymol, enhancing its stability and sustained release.
- Encapsulated thymol offers a promising, long-lasting antimicrobial solution for cosmetic products.
More Related Videos
11:52Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activities of Nanoparticles and Nanostructured Surfaces In Vitro
Published on: April 21, 2023
11:19Synthesis of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Silver Nanoparticles and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial Activities and Cytotoxic Properties
Published on: May 10, 2018
Related Concept Videos
01:27Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
Chemicals play important roles in controlling microbial growth by targeting microbial structures and functions as sanitizers, antiseptics, disinfectants, and sterilants.Alcohols are commonly used sanitizers, effectively disrupting lipid membranes, which compromises cell integrity. They are also used as antiseptics and disinfectants due to their rapid action and versatility.Phenols and their derivatives phenolics , known for denaturing proteins and disrupting cell membranes, are particularly...
01:28Antimicrobial Effectiveness
The effectiveness of antimicrobial agents depends on various factors influencing their ability to eliminate microbial populations. Larger microbial populations require more time for complete eradication, emphasizing the importance of population size analysis when evaluating antimicrobial efficacy.Microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents varies significantly. Highly resilient microorganisms include endospores, gram-negative bacteria, and non-enveloped viruses, while prions are exceptionally...
01:18Surface Membrane Barriers
The skin and mucous membranes serve as the primary line of defense against pathogens by providing both physical and chemical protection. These barriers are essential in preventing the entry and establishment of microbes, thereby maintaining the integrity of the host.
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
The outer layer of the skin, the epidermis, is a robust barrier comprising layers of closely packed keratinized cells. This dense arrangement prevents microbes from penetrating the body. The periodic shedding of epidermal cells...
01:28Biological Methods for Microbial Control
Biological agents offer an effective means of controlling microbial growth by leveraging natural processes like predation, competition, and the secretion of antimicrobial substances.Predatory bacteria such as Bdellovibrio species target and kill pathogens like Salmonella and E. coli. They are widely used in poultry farms to control infections. Myxococcus species help combat plant-pathogenic fungi. These naturally occurring predators serve as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical pesticides and...
01:24Microbial Corrosion
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a significant form of material degradation caused by the metabolic activities of microorganisms. This phenomenon poses substantial challenges across various industries, including oil and gas, maritime, and water treatment sectors.MIC occurs when microorganisms, such as bacteria, archaea, and fungi, colonize metal surfaces, forming biofilms that alter the local electrochemical environment. These biofilms can lead to the production of corrosive...
01:23Hand hygiene
Asepsis is the practice of preventing or breaking the chain of infection. The nurse employs aseptic techniques to prevent the spread of microorganisms and reduce the risk of diseases. Hand hygiene is the cornerstone of aseptic techniques and is classified into medical and surgical asepsis. Medical asepsis includes hand hygiene and the use of gloves. Surgical asepsis, or the sterile technique, refers to practices that render and keep objects and areas free of microorganisms.
Hand washing...
Hand washing...