Characterization of Hydrogel Beads for the Gradual Release of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil and Evaluation of Their Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans

Victoria Concha; Mario Díaz-Dosque; DUARTE PEÑALOZA, LUISA FERNANDA; José A. Jara; Alfredo Molina-Berríos

doi:10.3390/microorganisms13092065

Characterization of Hydrogel Beads for the Gradual Release of Origanum vulgare L. Essential Oil and Evaluation of Their Antifungal Activity Against Candida albicans

Journal

Microorganisms

ISSN

2076-2607

Date Issued

2025-09-05

Author(s)

Victoria Concha

Mario Díaz-Dosque

DUARTE PEÑALOZA, LUISA FERNANDA

Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana Universidad del Desarrollo

José A. Jara

Alfredo Molina-Berríos

Type

journal-article

DOI

10.3390/microorganisms13092065

URL

https://hdl.handle.net/123456789/11543

Abstract

Candida albicans infections are associated with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current antifungal therapies are limited by adverse effects and the emergence of resistant strains, which compromise long-term efficacy. Previous studies have shown that Origanum vulgare L. essential oil (OvEO) possesses strong antifungal activity; however, its volatility and physicochemical instability hinder clinical application. The aim of this study was to encapsulate OvEO in a hydrogel and evaluate its release kinetics, chemical composition, structural properties, and antifungal activity. We assessed its release kinetics, chemical composition, structural characteristics (FTIR; SEM), and antifungal activity against C. albicans. OvEO was successfully encapsulated into hydrogel beads, enabling a gradual release profile, with in vitro release of phenolic compounds reaching 100% at 48 min. SEM revealed an irregular surface with small pores and crystalline aggregates distributed across the bead surface. OvEO-loaded hydrogel beads inhibited C. albicans growth with an IC50 of 0.15 ± 0.05 mg/L for strain 90029 and 0.2 ± 0.06 mg/L for strain 10231. At these concentrations, adhesion to abiotic surfaces was reduced by 60–80%. These findings support the potential of OvEO-loaded hydrogel beads as an alternative approach for the treatment of fungal infections, offering a complementary strategy to current antifungal agents.

Cite this document

Concha, V., Díaz-Dosque, M., Duarte, L. F., Jara, J. A., & Molina-Berríos, A. (2025). Characterization of hydrogel beads for the gradual release of origanum vulgare l. Essential oil and evaluation of their antifungal activity against candida albicans. Microorganisms, 13(9), 2065. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092065