Production, characterization and application of nanotechnology-based vegetable multi-component theospheres in nonwovens: A women's intimate hygiene approach

Abstract

The main objective of this work was to develop a nanotechnology-based component containing substances of vegetable origin, such as butters and essential oils, whose properties may help balance the vulvovaginal microbiota and be applied in nonwovens for feminine hygiene products. The high-pressure homogenization technique was used to obtain the aqueous dispersion of these nanoparticles containing tea tree oil, alpha-bisabolol, resveratrol, grape seed oil and citric acid, namely VM-Theospheres (theospheres are nanoparticles formed by Theobroma grandiflorum butter). The average particle size range was 274 ± 5 nm. The stability tests indicated that formulation status remained stable at room temperature for 28 days. In vitro analysis of skin penetration and irritation showed that the VM-Theospheres can be considered safe for use in feminine hygiene products. The production of an absorbent layer was performed by impregnation of VM-Theospheres in nonwovens. The results revealed that spraying was the most effective method, without the need to treat the samples first.