The Development of a Sustainable 3D-Hydrogel System for the Targeted Delivery of EOs extracted from wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves

The 3D-PHydrogel project aims to develop a next-generation, sustainable hydrogel system that is 3D-printed and designed for the intelligent and targeted delivery of bioactive compounds derived from natural plant sources. The core innovation lies in incorporating essential oils (EOs) extracted via green technologies from wild bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) leaves collected from two regions in Cluj (Transylvania, Romania). These EOs will be embedded into biopolymer matrices composed of renewable resources such as starch (proso millet) and algae-derived materials (alginate). Using ionotropic gelation—a mild, environmentally friendly crosslinking technique—the 3D-PHydrogel project will focus on obtaining a biocompatible 3D hydrogel network capable of encapsulating and gradually releasing active compounds. This system could overcome current challenges related to compound stability, targeted delivery, and controlled release, particularly relevant for nanomedicine and bionanotechnology applications. The 3D-PHydrogel project will drive research combining sustainable and renewable materials available in natural and bioactive resources. Future validation of hydrogel’s functionality will be performed through in vitro assessments of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal potential. The ultimate goal is to contribute to an eco-friendly, functional delivery platform for therapeutic and biomedical use.

Acknowledgement: This work is supported by a grant from the Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, CCCDI-UEFISCDI, project number PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-1092.