FISH GELATIN AND CHITOSAN-BASED ANTI-ACNE PATCH WITH TEA TREE OIL: DEVELOPMENT AND EVALUATION

Objective: This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial activity of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) prepared in patch form using fish gelatin and chitosan. Abundant fish production has the potential as an alternative source of gelatin, especially for the development of patch dosage form. Methods: The patch was prepared using a solvent-casting method. Four formulas containing 3% TTO were developed using gelatin variations of 5-12.5% (F1-F4), and the formula without T TO served as a blank (F0). Each of the patch produced was evaluated in organoleptic, pH, weight uniformity, folding resistance, thickness, drying shrinkage, moisture absorption and stability at room temperature (25±2 °C, 60% RH). The antibacterial activity tests against Propionibacterium acne (P. acne) were performed using the diffusion method. Results: The produced patch formulas were considered to majorly have good organoleptic characteristics such as being solid, elastic, sticky, transparent, and pale yellow, with oil odor. Other evaluated characteristics included pH of 5.45-6.04, weight uniformity of 0.0208-0.0471 gr with a coefficient of variation of 0.10-1.85%, folding resistance>300 folds, thickness of 0.32-0.50 mm, drying shrinkage of 3.89-8.83%, and moisture absorption of 2.77-8.04%. All patch preparations were stable in storage for 3 mo at room temperature. TTO patches showed antibacterial activity with excellent inhibition zones in the range of 8.33±0.38 mm-14.45±1.35 mm. Conclusion: The TTO patches are successfully produced using fish gelatin and chitosan, which meet patch requirements and have high potential as anti-acne product.