Polymeric Carriers Designed for Encapsulation of Essential Oils with Biological Activity

Abstract

The article reviews the possibilities of encapsulating essential oils EOs, due to their multiple benefits, controlled release, and in order to protect them from environmental conditions. Thus, we present the natural polymers and the synthetic macromolecular chains that are commonly used as networks for embedding EOs, owing to their biodegradability and biocompatibility, interdependent encapsulation methods, and potential applicability of bioactive blend structures. The possibilities of using artificial intelligence to evaluate the bioactivity of EOs—in direct correlation with their chemical constitutions and structures, in order to avoid complex laboratory analyses, to save money and time, and to enhance the final consistency of the products—are also presented.

Thymbra capitata essential oil has a significant antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus pre-formed biofilms

“…2007), EO have shown a great potential for treating localized topical bacterial infections (Hollman, 2001) and can even act as a drug delivery vehicle for water insoluble drugs (Chiriac et al . 2021).…”

“…Hopefully, natural products, in particular EO, have showed an excellent antimicrobial activity against many pathogens (Lofa et al 2019;Elcocks et al 2020). Although its clinically applicability might be impaired for systemic infections due to the poorly absorption by the human intestine (Rosato et al 2007), EO have shown a great potential for treating localized topical bacterial infections (Hollman, 2001) and can even act as a drug delivery vehicle for water insoluble drugs (Chiriac et al 2021).…”

Essential Oil-Based Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents in the Food Industry

“…The inclusion complexes formed by CDs and EOs improve the EO solubility and physicochemical stability, providing a sustained release of these compounds [ 131 ], also acting as physical barrier to protect the EO in procedures such as freezing, thawing, and/or microwaving during food processing [ 34 ]. In the FI, they are used to improve flavor and sorption of bitter compounds.…”

Zuccagnia punctata Cav. Essential Oil into Poly(ε-caprolactone) Matrices as a Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Strategy Biorepellent against Triatoma infestans (Klug) (Hemiptera, Reduviidae)

“…To overcome these problems, active agents have been incorporated in polymeric systems allowing their protection and sustained release. Polymer-based systems have shown a longer lasting effect than traditional suspension concentrate formulations, both under experimental and field conditions [ 8 ]. Nanofibrous mats containing citriodiol as biorepellent against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes and its incorporation into a layered fabric were recently studied [ 9 ].…”