Antimicrobial Hydroxyethyl-Cellulose-Based Composite Films with Zinc Oxide and Mesoporous Silica Loaded with Cinnamon Essential Oil

<b>Background</b>: Cellulose derivatives are gaining much attention in medical research due to their excellent properties such as biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, non-toxicity, sustainability, and low cost. Unfortunately, cellulose does not exhibit antimicrobial activity. However, derivatives like hydroxyethyl cellulose represent a proper matrix to incorporate antimicrobial agents with beneficial therapeutic effects. <b>Methods</b>: Combining more antimicrobial agents into a single composite material can induce stronger antibacterial activity by synergism. <b>Results</b>: Therefore, we have obtained a hydroxyethyl-cellulose-based material loaded with zinc oxide nanoparticles and cinnamon essential oil as the antimicrobial agents. The cinnamon essential oil was loaded in mesoporous silica particles to control its release. <b>Conclusions</b>: The composite films demonstrated high antibacterial activity against <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains, impairing the bacterial cells' viability and biofilm development. Such antimicrobial films can be used in various biomedical applications such as topical dressings or as packaging for the food industry.