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. 2025 Jun 16;11(6):459.
doi: 10.3390/gels11060459.

Antibacterial Composites Based on Alginate/Egg White and ZnO Nanoparticles with the Addition of Essential Oils

Adrian-Ionuț Nicoară  1   2 , Adelina Valentina Anton  3 , Roxana Doina Trușcă  2 , Alexandra Cătălina Bîrcă  2 , Cornelia-Ioana Ilie  1   2 , Lia-Mara Dițu  4   5
Affiliations

Antibacterial Composites Based on Alginate/Egg White and ZnO Nanoparticles with the Addition of Essential Oils

Adrian-Ionuț Nicoară et al. Gels. .

Abstract

A series of hydrogels containing sodium alginate at different concentrations (2%, 3%, and 4%) and egg white were prepared through ionic cross-linking with calcium chloride (CaCl2) to obtain composite dressing materials. ZnO nanoparticles coated with eucalyptus or lavender essential oil were introduced into the hydrogel matrix to enhance antibacterial properties. The resulting hydrogels were freeze-dried to enhance mechanical properties, increase the porosity of the dressing, and facilitate further evaluations. A variety of analytical methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were employed to characterize the composites. The developed composites exhibited high porosity and a swelling degree exceeding 200% after 3 days. Additionally, water absorption capacity increased with higher alginate concentrations in the samples. Furthermore, they demonstrated significant antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Escherichia coli, with the samples containing 4% alginate showing the best results.

Keywords: alginate composite; antibacterial materials; egg white; wound dressing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
XRD patterns on ZnO samples obtained by the combustion method.
Figure 2
Figure 2
SEM image of ZnO nanoparticles at 50,000× (A) and 100,000× (B) magnification, size distribution (C), and EDS (D).
Figure 3
Figure 3
SEM images of composite samples containing 2% alginate and egg white (A1), 2% alginate, egg white and ZnO (A2), 2% alginate, egg white, and ZnO coated with lavender oil (A3) and eucalyptus oil (A4) at various magnifications ((A) 200×, (B) 1000×, and (C) 40,000×).
Figure 4
Figure 4
EDS analysis (A) and chemical composition (B) of composite samples included in group A.
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM images of composite samples containing 3% alginate and egg white (B1), 3% alginate, egg white and ZnO (B2), 3% alginate, egg white, and ZnO coated with lavender oil (B3) and eucalyptus oil (B4) at various magnifications ((A) 200×, (B) 1000×, and (C) 40,000×).
Figure 5
Figure 5
SEM images of composite samples containing 3% alginate and egg white (B1), 3% alginate, egg white and ZnO (B2), 3% alginate, egg white, and ZnO coated with lavender oil (B3) and eucalyptus oil (B4) at various magnifications ((A) 200×, (B) 1000×, and (C) 40,000×).
Figure 6
Figure 6
EDS analysis (A) and chemical composition (B) of composite samples included in group B.
Figure 7
Figure 7
SEM images of composite samples containing 4% alginate and egg white (C1), 4% alginate, egg white and ZnO (C2), 4% alginate, egg white, and ZnO coated with lavender oil (C3) and eucalyptus oil (C4) at various magnifications ((A) 200×, (B) 1000×, and (C) 40,000×).
Figure 8
Figure 8
EDS analysis (A) and chemical composition (B) of composite samples included in group C.
Figure 9
Figure 9
FTIR spectra for samples obtained with 2% (group A), 3% (group B), and 4% alginate (group C).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Swelling capacity for samples obtained with 2% (group A), 3% (group B), and 4% alginate (group C).
Figure 11
Figure 11
The anti-adherence capacity of composite materials against S. aureus, E. faecalis, and E. coli. The CFU/mL values were represented in logarithmic units. The differences between the samples tested and the cell growth control were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. The comparisons between alginate/egg white membranes and alginate/egg white–ZnO were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Holm–Šídák’s multiple comparisons test. The comparisons between ZnO and alginate/egg white–ZnO were analyzed following the same tests. The differences between alginate/egg white–ZnO membranes were not significant. (ns—not significant; * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001).
Figure 12
Figure 12
MTT assay for samples obtained with 2% (group A), 3% (group B), and 4% alginate (group C). Ctrl represents the cell’s control.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Technological flow for obtaining zinc oxide nanoparticles. Designed with ConceptDraw Diagram 16.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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