Phytochemical-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoemulsions for Eradication of Fungal Biofilms.

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Title: Phytochemical-Loaded Biodegradable Nanoemulsions for Eradication of Fungal Biofilms.
Authors: Hassan, Muhammad Aamir1 (AUTHOR), Chandrababu, Harini1 (AUTHOR), Park, Jungmi1 (AUTHOR), Rotello, Vincent M.1 (AUTHOR) rotello@chem.umass.edu
Source: Nanomaterials (2079-4991). May2026, Vol. 16 Issue 10, p574. 14p.
Subjects: Biofilms, Candida, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Carvacrol, Polymer structure, Essential oils, Microemulsions
Abstract: Fungal infections are an escalating health threat, especially in hard-to-treat biofilm-associated infections. Candida species are the most widespread drivers of wound biofilm and biomedical device-associated infections. In this study, biodegradable nanoemulsions (BNEs) were fabricated by encapsulating active components of three different essential oils—carvacrol (C-BNE), geraniol (G-BNE), and eugenol (E-BNE)—in a polymeric scaffold with a biodegradable crosslinker. The antibiofilm efficacy of BNEs was assessed against 2-day-old biofilms of multiple Candida species. C-BNE showed maximum effectiveness against all fungal biofilms as compared to G-BNE and E-BNE. Confocal microscopy further demonstrated that C-BNE efficiently penetrated the biofilm and killed the fungal cells by compromising cell membrane integrity. Overall, this study highlights the potential of essential oil-loaded nanoemulsions against drug-resistant biofilm-associated fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Abstract:Fungal infections are an escalating health threat, especially in hard-to-treat biofilm-associated infections. Candida species are the most widespread drivers of wound biofilm and biomedical device-associated infections. In this study, biodegradable nanoemulsions (BNEs) were fabricated by encapsulating active components of three different essential oils—carvacrol (C-BNE), geraniol (G-BNE), and eugenol (E-BNE)—in a polymeric scaffold with a biodegradable crosslinker. The antibiofilm efficacy of BNEs was assessed against 2-day-old biofilms of multiple Candida species. C-BNE showed maximum effectiveness against all fungal biofilms as compared to G-BNE and E-BNE. Confocal microscopy further demonstrated that C-BNE efficiently penetrated the biofilm and killed the fungal cells by compromising cell membrane integrity. Overall, this study highlights the potential of essential oil-loaded nanoemulsions against drug-resistant biofilm-associated fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:20794991
DOI:10.3390/nano16100574