Peppermint Essential Oil-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles with Antimicrobial Properties

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Chemistry
• Microbiology

Background:

• Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a key biomaterial with potential applications.
• Peppermint essential oil (P-EO) possesses known antimicrobial properties.
• Developing composite materials can enhance the functionality of existing substances.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel antimicrobial material by combining hydroxyapatite (HAp) with peppermint essential oil (P-EO).
• To investigate the structural and morphological characteristics of the HAp-P composite.
• To evaluate the enhanced antimicrobial efficacy of the HAp-P composite against a range of microorganisms.

Main Methods:

• Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to analyze molecular spectral features.
• Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine the morphology of the materials.
• Antibacterial and antifungal assays were performed against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and Candida parapsilosis.

Main Results:

• The coating of HAp with P-EO did not alter the nanoparticle's ellipsoidal shape.
• FTIR analysis confirmed the molecular interaction between P-EO and HAp in the HAp-P composite.
• The HAp-P composite demonstrated significantly increased antimicrobial activity compared to HAp alone.

Conclusions:

• The combination of HAp and P-EO results in a composite material with enhanced antimicrobial capabilities.
• The HAp-P composite is a promising candidate for applications requiring antimicrobial activity.
• This study validates the synergistic effect of combining hydroxyapatite with peppermint essential oil for improved antimicrobial performance.