Recent Advances in Textile Functionalization Using Essential Oil-Based-Microcapsules with Antimicrobial Properties
Journal
Tekstilec
ISSN
2350 - 3696
Date Issued
2025
Author(s)
Georgievska, Tamara
Trajkovikj, Stefan
Editor(s)
Editor-in-Chief Tatjana Rijavec; Assistant Editor Tatjana Kreže; Associate Editors Matejka Bizjak, Katja Burger Kovič, Andrej Demšar, Mateja Kos Koklič, Alenka Pavko Čuden, Andreja Rudolf, Barbara Simončič, Dunja Šajn Gorjanc, Sonja Šterman, Brigita Tomšič;Executive Editor for Databases Irena Sajovic; International Editorial Board Matej Bračič, Maribor, SI Snježana Brnada, Zagreb, HR Andrea Ehrmann, Bielefeld, DE Petra Forte Tavčer, Ljubljana, SI Jelka Geršak, Maribor, SI Marija Gorjanc, Ljubljana, SI Lubos Hes, Moka, MU Aleš Hladnik, Ljubljana, SI Svjetlana Janjić, Banja Luka, BA Mateja Kert, Ljubljana, SI Dragana Kopitar, Zagreb, HR Yordan Kostadinov Kyoshev, Dresden, DE Petra Komarkova, Liberec, CZ Mateja Kos Koklič, Ljubljana, SI Mirjana Kostić, Beograd, RS Manja Kurečič, Maribor, SI Boris Mahltig, Niederrhein, DE Subhankar Maity, Kanpur, IN Małgorzata Matusiak, Łódź , PL Ida Nuramdhani, Bandung, ID Alenka Ojstršek, Maribor, SI Roshan Paul, Aachen, DE Tanja Pušić, Zagreb, HR Ivana Salopek Čubrić, Zagreb, HR Snežana Stanković, Beograd, RS Jovan Stepanović, Leskovac, RS Dunja Šajn Gorjanc, Ljubljana, SI Mohammad Tajul Islam, Dhaka, BD Antoneta Tomljenović, Zagreb, HR
DOI
10.14502/tekstilec.68.2025025
Abstract
Antimicrobial textiles are functionalized textiles designed to inhibit or terminate the growth of microorganisms.
In light of the increasing emphasis on eco-friendly processes, the application of essential oils presents a
viable alternative to synthetic drugs (antibiotics). The aim of this study was to evaluate recent advances in microencapsulation
methods of essential oils with antimicrobial activity that can be applied on medical textile for
dermal use by employing the PRISMA methodology. Essential oils have been microencapsulated using various
methods: coacervation, spray-drying, emulsion method and in situ polymerization. Among these, coacervation
is still extensively utilized, though associated scale-up challenges persist. Many essential oils have demonstrated
antibacterial properties against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative
(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria, as well as antifungal activity (Candida
albicans). The growth inhibition of these microorganisms was assessed in the presence of the following
essential oils and their active substances with the highest biological-antimicrobial activity: cinnamon (transcinnamaldehyde),
lime (α-terpineol, terpineol, and limonene), tea tree (terpinen-4-ol), rosemary (1,8-cineole
and α-pinene), peppermint (l-menthol, menthone, methyl acetate and limonene), lavender (linalool and linalyl
acetate), thyme (carvacrol) and clove (eugenol). The findings indicate that functionalized textile with microcapsules
exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative
bacteria (Escherichia coli), which could be attributed to the bacteria’s thick wall. However, there is a notable
lack of data regarding cytotoxicity and the sensory evaluation of functionalized textile. The potential utilization
of essential oils was explored in the development of eco-friendlier functionalized textile with antimicrobial properties. However, additional research is required to maximize the antimicrobial activity of microcapsules to
overcome challenges in the scale-up to pilot process, and to improve the immobilization in textiles.
Keywords: antimicrobial properties, sustainability, essential oils, microcapsules, textile functionalization
In light of the increasing emphasis on eco-friendly processes, the application of essential oils presents a
viable alternative to synthetic drugs (antibiotics). The aim of this study was to evaluate recent advances in microencapsulation
methods of essential oils with antimicrobial activity that can be applied on medical textile for
dermal use by employing the PRISMA methodology. Essential oils have been microencapsulated using various
methods: coacervation, spray-drying, emulsion method and in situ polymerization. Among these, coacervation
is still extensively utilized, though associated scale-up challenges persist. Many essential oils have demonstrated
antibacterial properties against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative
(Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria, as well as antifungal activity (Candida
albicans). The growth inhibition of these microorganisms was assessed in the presence of the following
essential oils and their active substances with the highest biological-antimicrobial activity: cinnamon (transcinnamaldehyde),
lime (α-terpineol, terpineol, and limonene), tea tree (terpinen-4-ol), rosemary (1,8-cineole
and α-pinene), peppermint (l-menthol, menthone, methyl acetate and limonene), lavender (linalool and linalyl
acetate), thyme (carvacrol) and clove (eugenol). The findings indicate that functionalized textile with microcapsules
exhibits enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative
bacteria (Escherichia coli), which could be attributed to the bacteria’s thick wall. However, there is a notable
lack of data regarding cytotoxicity and the sensory evaluation of functionalized textile. The potential utilization
of essential oils was explored in the development of eco-friendlier functionalized textile with antimicrobial properties. However, additional research is required to maximize the antimicrobial activity of microcapsules to
overcome challenges in the scale-up to pilot process, and to improve the immobilization in textiles.
Keywords: antimicrobial properties, sustainability, essential oils, microcapsules, textile functionalization
Project(s)
none
Funding(s)
no