In situ nanoencapsulation of essential oils in alginate on a cotton fabric for a controlled release system: statistical evaluation, application, and release mechanism.

The application of natural herbal products to the surface of textiles is a safe and novel approach to treating diseases. To achieve a textile-based delivery system for controlled release, the active ingredients can be encapsulated in a natural polymer on the textile. The present study aims to control the release of essential oils through their in situ nano-encapsulation into an alginate biopolymer on a cellulosic cotton fabric for managing children's anorexia. For this purpose, cellulosic cotton aprons were finished using three essential oils extracted from peppermint, cardamom, and ginger in the presence of an alginate biopolymer, and analyzed using a statistical assay to select a more effective essential oil as an appetite stimulant. Then, peppermint oil, as the more effective essential oil was in situ nano-encapsulated into the alginate biopolymer on the surface of a cellulosic cotton fabric using an ultrasound-based encapsulation method. FESEM images indicated that alginate nanocapsules were successfully synthesized with a diameter of about 70-90 nm and well stabilized on the surface of the cotton fabric. UV-vis spectroscopy and antimicrobial activity assays were used to evaluate the release behaviour of peppermint oil from alginate nanocapsules stabilized on the cellulosic cotton fabric, showing a relatively good controlled release for 60 days. Also, the finished cotton fabric using alginate nanocapsules containing peppermint oil showed no skin sensitivity in rats for 72 h. This study provides a good prospect for future studies on drug delivery systems with the ability to store plant extracts or essential oils for a long time and control their release for the treatment of diseases without side effects.