New Method for Encapsulation of Oregano Essential Oil into Carbon Nanotubes

In this paper it is proposed a new method of encapsulation of oregano essential oil (EO) into carbon nanotubes, singlewalled (SWCNTs) and multiwalled (MWCNTs). Multiwalled carbon nanotubes were functionalized by oxidation methods to obtain carboxilated carbon nanotubes MWCNT-COOH and aminated carbon nanotubes MWCNT-NH2. The effect of encapsulating matrix on protection and delivery of oregano essential oil was studied. We will refer to preparation by encapsulation of carbon nanotubes with oregano essential oil in order to improve characteristics that can be used in biomedical applications. EO was encapsulated in carbon nanotubes by physical immersion and the samples were ultrasonated for 2 hours at 37oC. After the treatment of carbon nanotubes with oregano essential oil, these varieties of materials were inserted into a collagen gel and lyophilized in order to obtain collagen matrices. The structure of the new functionalized carbon nanotubes immersed in a collagen matrix was identified using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR analysis) and morphological features were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).