Development of antimicrobial cosmetic products based on nanostructures

Development of antimicrobial cosmetic products based on nanostructures

Abstrakt

Antimicrobial agents play a key role in combating pathogenic microorganisms not only in medicine but also in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, research increasingly focuses on natural plant-derived antimicrobial compounds, which often also exhibit antioxidant properties. Combining such agents can enhance their overall efficacy through synergistic effects while reducing the risk of resistance. Promising delivery systems include nanofiber materials and emulsion gels, which enable controlled release, improved stability, and better interaction with the skin. This study investigates the synergistic effects of antimicrobial agents, their encapsulation into composite nanofibers, and incorporation into emulsion gels, aiming to evaluate their potential for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Four plant-derived antimicrobials (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, berberine) and three antibiotics (gentamicin, erythromycin, streptomycin) were tested for antioxidant activity, minimum inhibitory and lethal concentration against two gram-positive and one gram-negative bacteria. Among eighteen tested combinations, the strongest synergistic effects were observed in pairs berberine-thymol, carvacrol-eugenol, and berberine-streptomycin. These synergistic combinations were successfully encapsulated into multilayer nanofibers, which exhibited pronounced antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In contrast, incorporation into emulsion gels led to significantly lower efficiency. Biocompatibility tests confirmed that the prepared nanofibers are non-toxic and suitable for skin application. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the developed materials for their use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations such as facial masks, acne patches, or wound dressings. Moreover, the observed synergistic combinations suggest a promising strategy to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

Antimicrobial agents play a key role in combating pathogenic microorganisms not only in medicine but also in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance, research increasingly focuses on natural plant-derived antimicrobial compounds, which often also exhibit antioxidant properties. Combining such agents can enhance their overall efficacy through synergistic effects while reducing the risk of resistance. Promising delivery systems include nanofiber materials and emulsion gels, which enable controlled release, improved stability, and better interaction with the skin. This study investigates the synergistic effects of antimicrobial agents, their encapsulation into composite nanofibers, and incorporation into emulsion gels, aiming to evaluate their potential for cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications. Four plant-derived antimicrobials (eugenol, carvacrol, thymol, berberine) and three antibiotics (gentamicin, erythromycin, streptomycin) were tested for antioxidant activity, minimum inhibitory and lethal concentration against two gram-positive and one gram-negative bacteria. Among eighteen tested combinations, the strongest synergistic effects were observed in pairs berberine-thymol, carvacrol-eugenol, and berberine-streptomycin. These synergistic combinations were successfully encapsulated into multilayer nanofibers, which exhibited pronounced antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. In contrast, incorporation into emulsion gels led to significantly lower efficiency. Biocompatibility tests confirmed that the prepared nanofibers are non-toxic and suitable for skin application. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of the developed materials for their use in cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations such as facial masks, acne patches, or wound dressings. Moreover, the observed synergistic combinations suggest a promising strategy to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.

Plant-based antimicrobial agents, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, synergy, antioxidants, composite nanofibers, emulsion gels, biocompatibility, cosmetics

Plant-based antimicrobial agents, antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, synergy, antioxidants, composite nanofibers, emulsion gels, biocompatibility, cosmetics

DRIBŇÁKOVÁ, B.; DZURICKÁ, L.; MÁROVÁ, I.

27.11.2025

Vysoké učení technické v Brně, Fakulta chemická

Brno

978-80-214-6388-2

Studentská odborná konference CHEMIE JE ŽIVOT 2025 Sborník abstraktů

63

63

91

https://www.fch.vut.cz/vav/konference/sok/vystupy/sok-2025-sbornikabstraktu-pdf-p321225