INNOVATIVE BIOCOMPOSITE ANTIFUNGAL HYDROGELS BASED ON HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, KERATIN AND OREGANO ESSENTIAL OIL
AgroLife Scientific Journal, cilt.15, sa.1, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 15 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.17930/agl2026118
- Dergi Adı: AgroLife Scientific Journal
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Anahtar Kelimeler: antifungal, biocomposite, hydrogels, keratin, oregano oil
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Hatay Mustafa Kemal Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
The increasing resistance to conventional antifungal therapies necessitates novel topical formulations. This study developed biocomposite hydrogels based on hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), keratin, and oregano essential oil (OEO) from Origanum syriacum var. bevanii. Eight hydrogels (H1-H8) with varying HEC (3-3.5%), keratin (0-1.6%), and OEO (0-0.06%) were prepared. GC-MS identified thymol (24.44%), γ-terpinene (20.54%), p-cymene (15.45%), and carvacrol (12.65%). Rheological data were quantified using the Ostwald-de Waele model. The consistency index was strongly influenced by composition and temperature. A medium concentration of keratin and OEO represents the optimal formulation ratio, offering rheological behavior suitable for the intended therapeutic purpose. Antifungal activity evaluated against Aspergillus brasiliensis, Fusarium oxysporum, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium showed low OEO concentrations (0.003-0.006%) were ineffective. Hydrogels with 0.06% OEO (H7, H8) achieved complete suppression of A. brasiliensis and P. chrysosporium (score 0); H7 also fully inhibited F. oxysporum. A clear OEO concentration threshold above 0.006% is required for efficacy, with keratin acting as a functional encapsulant. These biocomposite hydrogels offer promising rheological and antifungal properties for further development.