Salvia Officinalis Essential Oil Loaded Gelatin Hydrogel as Potential Antibacterial Wound Dressing Materials
Salvia officinalis essential oil loaded gelatin hydrogels with improved antibacterial activity and enhanced stability was prepared by microwave-assisted polymerization method. FT-IR spectra indicated no chemical interaction between the hydrogel matrix and the essential oil functional groups. According to the swelling studies, enhanced stability in all pH media was obtained. Studying two kinetic models: Fickian transport and Schott second order kinetic model, it was demonstrated that the swelling process of the prepared hydrogels occurs after a second order kinetics. Antibacterial activity, investigated by the agar diffusion method, regarding S. aureus and E. coli is comparable to that of silver nanoparticles and twice more efficient compared to cinnamon essential oil.