Improvement in antibacterial activity of moxa oil containing gelatin-arabic gum microcapsules

摘要

In the present study, moxa oil was encapsulated into the gelatin-arabic gum microcapsules using a complex coacervation technique in order to improve the antibacterial property of moxa oil. The physical properties including surface morphology, particle size, drug loading as well as release profile and anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity of moxa oil containing microcapsules were investigated. The results showed that the moxa oil containing microcapsules had relatively spherical appearance with the average particle size (6.42 μm) and the average oil loading (0.20 ± 0.01 mg/ml). The moxa oil was demonstrated to be gradually released from the microcapsules. The antibacterial study revealed that the moxa oil microcapsule-treated cotton fabrics showed a significantly stronger growth inhibition towards Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus).