Microencapsulation of Moringa Oleifera Essential Oil for Antibacterial Properties on Cotton

Microbial growth on textiles can cause unpleasant odors, skin irritation, and other problems because textiles provide favorable conditions for many diseases and are vulnerable to bacterial infestations. There are numerous antibacterial compounds currently being used, many of which contain harmful and cancerous synthetic substances such as quaternary ammonium salts and other metal compounds. People are increasingly turning to plant-based products that are safe and skin-friendly. The essential oil extracted from Moringa oleifera, native to India, has been used in the therapeutic and pharmaceutical field for centuries due to its medicinal and considerable pharmacological activities. The present investigation focuses on antibacterial properties against bacteria S. aureus and K. pneumoniae of Moringa oleifera essential oil. Moringa oleifera essential oil was microencapsulated on cotton fabric using a complex coacervation technique comprising of gelatin and gum arabic as wall materials. The influence of various parameters, such as the concentration of oil and wall material and particle size distribution was examined. The results revealed that the encapsulated cotton fabric displayed antibacterial percentages of 94.32% and 89.96% against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae, respectively, and after washing it retained the properties with 92.99% and 88.83% antibacterial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella, respectively.