Supercritical carbon dioxide assisted impregnation of eugenol into polyamide fibers for application as a dental floss

MOSQUERA RUIZ, JOSÉ E.; GOÑI, MARÍA L.; MARTINI, RAQUEL E.; GAÑAN, NICOLÁS

Journal of CO2 Utilization

Elsevier

Año: 2019 vol. 32 p. 259 - 268

2212-9820

Supercritical CO2-assisted impregnation was applied to incorporate eugenol into polyamide fibers in order to develop a solvent-free material with antimicrobial properties to be potentially applied as a dental floss. Impregnation runs were carried out in a high-pressure cell at 60°C during 2 h, and the effect of pressure (8?12 MPa) and depressurization rate (0.5 and 5 MPa·min-1) on impregnation yield was evaluated. Impregnation yields of 8?15% (w/w) were obtained, achieving higher values at low depressurization rate. Mechanical properties were investigated, observing a decrease of Young modulus as well as an enhancement of tensile strength as a consequence of high-pressure treatment. Eugenol release kinetics from impregnated floss to the air and in artificial saliva was experimentally studied under atmospheric conditions. Two empirical equations (one-site and two-site desorption model) and a diffusion model based in the second Fick?s law were applied to correlate the release profiles, with a good agreement. Fiber morphology was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the antimicrobial activity of impregnated floss samples against Escherichia coli and Staphilococcus aureus using a dynamic contact conditions test was investigated, achieving a 99.7-99.8% of inhibition.