FORMULATION OF EMULSIONS FROM PLANT ESSENTIAL OILS AGAINST MICROBIAL BIOFILMS

A biofilms are sessile aggregate mode of growth in some bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and algae which makes the microorganism tolerant to adverse environmental conditions biofilm-forming microorganism may possibly create conditions including native valve endocarditis, osteomyelitis, dental caries, middle ear infections, medical device-related infections, ocular implant infections and chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. In an attempt to control biofilm formation on the wall, the emulsion was developed and evaluated against the bacteria isolated from biofilm layers of walls. In the current study, emulsion (O/W) was developed using oil extracted from the leaves of a Cymbopogon citratus (lemongrass), Eucalyptus globules and Azadirachta indica (neem) are used, which have antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidants and anti-diabetic activities. The emulsions were prepared in different ratios of oil and surfactant (Tween 80 and Tween 20) and evaluated for their mechanical and thermal stability. Transparent emulsion with a mean droplet diameter of 171 nm was obtained at a 6:4 ratio (v/v) of oil and surfactant and was found to be stable. This result was obtained with an emulsification time of 30 min. The emulsions were subjected to anti-biofilm assays against the bacterial cultures using a disc diffusion method and microtitration method. The results were compared to estimate the anti-biofilm efficacy of the emulsions. Out of 10, 4 emulsions showed higher biofilm activity than the control treatment. The study concluded that the essential oils being converted to emulsion has the potential to prevent microbial biofilms. Though, further investigation of the larvicidal activity of formulated nanoemulsion will be studied to prove the efficacy of nanoemulsion.