Influence of essential oil on the properties of UV-crosslinked polyacrylamide/sodium caseinate (PAAM/SC) hydrogels

Abstract

Presently, numerous studies have shown that hydrogels can help with wound healing in a variety of approaches. Oil-loaded protein-based hydrogels were fast produced via free radical photopolymerization (UV crosslinking). The water phase consisted of sodium caseinate polymer and acrylamide monomer, whereas the oil phase included orange blossom essential oil (OBEO). The bio-based surfactant ?-cyclodextrin (?-CD) stabilized oil loaded-hydrogels. ?-CD/OBEO complexes in specific proportions (1:1, 1:2, and 1:4) was added to water phase. ATR-FT-IR confirms the functional groups in hydrogels. The hydrogels have a swelling ratio above 280 % for 24 hours. The maximum compression strength for hydrogels with (?-CD/OBEO, 1:2) is almost 1 MPa. All oil-loaded hydrogels showed antibacterial efficiency against Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), with inhibition zones of 6-10 mm. According to the findings, the synthesized hydrogels can be used as wound dressings in wound healing applications.