Antimicrobial Electrospun Cellulose Acetate Micro-fibers Loaded with Oregano and Rosemary Essential Oil

The method of electrospinning was used to create micro-fibers made of cellulose acetate (CA) and essential oils (EOs). CA polymer at 15% w/v was dissolved in acetone and then 1 or 5% v/v of EOs were added to the polymer solution. The essential oils chosen were oregano and rosemary oils. Then the CA-EOs in acetone solution was electrospun creating fibers with approximately 1.0 – 2.0 μm in diameter. Scanning electron microscopy was used to study the morphology, topography and dimensions of the micro-fibers. Raman spectroscopy was used to detect attachment of the EOs in the CA electrospun micro-fibers. The formed CA-EOs micro-fibers found to have good antimicrobial properties against three common bacteria strains; S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans. The more concentrated with EOs micro-fibers showed the best antimicrobial effects. This work describes an effective and simple method to prepare CA-EOs micro-fibers and open new ways for many applications of such electrospun fibers such as wound dressings, anti-biofilm surfaces, sensors, packaging, cosmetics etc.