Alginate-based wound dressings loaded with natural essential oils: physicochemical characterisation and antibacterial performance

Bacterial infections are a major challenge in wound healing, increasing complications and delaying recovery. This study developed alginate-based composite films incorporating three essential oils (EOs) - <i>Hypericum perforatum</i> (healing), <i>Laurus nobilis</i> (antibacterial) and <i>Lavandula angustifolia</i> (analgesic) - individually and in combinations, into a 3% sodium alginate matrix via solvent casting. Films were characterised for thickness, water solubility, swelling capacity and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR), as well as structural features (Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) and antibacterial activity against <i>Escherichia coli</i> and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>. Essential oil incorporation enhanced moisture retention, maintained an optimal WVTR (1799-1906 g·m^-2·day^-1), and improved antibacterial activity, particularly against <i>S. aureus</i> (inhibition zones up to 16.3 mm). SEM analysis revealed increased surface roughness and porosity, while FTIR confirmed interactions between alginate and phenolic EO components. These results suggest that EO-loaded alginate films are promising, biocompatible wound dressings with infection-control and moist-healing capabilities, warranting further <i>in vivo</i> studies.