Mechanistic insights into antibacterial and antioxidant bacterial cellulose films functionalized with Vitex negundo extract
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15282/cst.v5i2.14921Keywords:
Wound healing patch, Biopackaging materials, Vitex negundo, Bacterial celluloseAbstract
As the life sciences embrace sustainability, biocompatible and biodegradable materials with minimal ecological footprints are emerging as key enablers in various applications. Addressing the growing demand for sustainable and functional biomaterials, this study investigated how the incorporation of Vitex negundo (VN) extract influences the structural, chemical, and functional characteristics of alginate–bacterial cellulose (AB) films especially its antibacterial and antioxidant potential. AB films were prepared with varying concentrations of VN extract (0.25% and 0.5%). Physical characterization was performed through thickness measurement and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antibacterial potential was evaluated through the inhibition zone method, while the antioxidant potential was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. The findings contribute to the design of plant-extract-functionalized biopolymer films, underscoring the importance of extract concentration optimization. The results support the potential of VN–BC films as bioactive materials for various applications, while highlighting directions for future studies on mechanical stability, release kinetics, and industrial scalability.
References
[1] J. Li, H.H. Ahmed, A.M. Hussein, et al., "Advances in polysaccharide-based materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications: A comprehensive review," Archiv der Pharmazie, vol. 358, no. 1, Art. no. e2400854, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1002/ardp.202400854
[2] H. El-Gendi, J.S. Albrahim, H. Alenezi, E.M. El-Fakharany, Y.A. El-Maradny, and A.K. Saleh, "Bioactive bacterial cellulose/chitosan/sodium alginate composite film functionalized with Moringa oleifera seed extract: Antimicrobial, anticancer, and molecular docking studies," International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 307, Art. no. 141958, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.141958
[3] L. Stasiak-Różańska, A. Berthold-Pluta, T. Aleksandrzak-Piekarczyk, A. Koryszewska-Bagińska, and M. Garbowska, "Antimicrobial activity against Cronobacter of plant extracts and essential oils in a matrix of bacterial cellulose," Polymers, vol. 16, no. 16, Art. no. 2316, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16162316
[4] G.E. Dawwam, N.S. El-Sayed, and M.T. Al-Shemy, "Bacterial cellulose doped with ZnO as a multifunctional bioactive platform for curcumin and propolis immobilization: Synthesis, characterization, and wound healing potential," Microbial Cell Factories, vol. 24, no. 1, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12934-025-02826-6
[5] M. Kumar, A. Pandey, V. Kumar, and S. Saran, "Applications of bacterial cellulose in biomedical sector," in Bacterial Cellulose: Production, Scale-up and Applications. Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC Press, 2023, pp. 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781003355434-12
[6] A.K. Saleh, J.B. Ray, M.H. El-Sayed, et al., "Functionalization of bacterial cellulose: Exploring diverse applications and biomedical innovations: A review," International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 264, Art. no. 130454, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130454
[7] A. Fatima, M. Ul-Islam, S. Yasir, et al., "Ex situ fabrication and bioactivity characterization of Neem and Sage-infused bacterial cellulose membranes for sustainable antimicrobial applications," International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, vol. 287, Art. no. 138433, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.138433
[8] A.W. Indrianingsih, V.T. Rosyida, W. Apriyana, S.N. Hayati, C. Darsih, K. Nisa, and D. Ratih, "Antioxidant and antibacterial properties of bacterial cellulose-Indonesian plant extract composites for mask sheet," Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, vol. 10, no. 7, pp. 37–42, 2020. https://doi.org/10.7324/JAPS.2020.10705
[9] K. Amutha, "Development of film using biopolymer and herbal extract for biomedical application," Journal of Textile Science and Engineering, Art. no. TSE-101, 2017. https://doi.org/10.29011/TSE-101/100001
[10] M.I.H. Nasharudin, S.W. Siew, H.F. Ahmad, and N. Mahmud, "Whole genome sequencing analysis of Komagataeibacter nataicola reveals its potential in food waste valorisation for cellulose production," Molecular Biology Reports, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/S11033-024-09492-8
[11] I.M. Bodea, F.I. Beteg, C.R. Pop, et al., "Optimization of moist and oven-dried bacterial cellulose production for functional properties," Polymers, vol. 13, no. 13, Art. no. 2088, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3390/POLYM13132088
[12] X. Zhou, X. Liu, Q. Wang, et al., "Antimicrobial and antioxidant films formed by bacterial cellulose, chitosan and tea polyphenol-Shelf life extension of grass carp," Food Packaging and Shelf Life, vol. 33, Art. no. 100866, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.100866
[13] M. Feng, L. Yu, P. Zhu, et al., "Development and preparation of active starch films carrying tea polyphenol," Carbohydrate Polymers, vol. 196, pp. 162–167, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.CARBPOL.2018.05.043
[14] S. Tang, B. Wang, X. Liu, et al., "Structural insights and biological activities of flavonoids: Implications for novel applications," Food Frontiers, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 218–247, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1002/fft2.494
[15] M.S. Deogade, T. Pandya, K.S. Prasad, K. Kale, and N. Tankhiwale, "Antimicrobial activity of Vitex negundo Linn. (Nirgundi) leaves extract," Journal of Research in Traditional Medicine, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 99–102, 2016.
[16] S. Arumanayagam and M. Arunmani, "Antibacterial activity of Vitex negundo Linn.," Journal of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Sciences, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 829–834, 2018. https://doi.org/10.15414/jmbfs.2018.8.2.829-834
[17] K.C. de Souza, G.R. dos Santos, F.C.S. Trindade, A.F. de S. Costa, Y.M.B. de Almeida, L.A. Sarubbo, and G.M. Vinhas, "Production of bacterial cellulose biopolymers in media containing rice and corn hydrolysate as carbon sources," Polymers and Polymer Composites, vol. 29, no. 9 Suppl., pp. S1466–S1474, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1177/09673911211059706
[18] G. Lawrie, I. Keen, B. Drew, A. Chandler-Temple, L. Rintoul, P. Fredericks, and L. Grøndahl, "Interactions between alginate and chitosan biopolymers characterized using FTIR and XPS," Biomacromolecules, vol. 8, no. 8, pp. 2533–2541, 2007. https://doi.org/10.1021/bm070014y
[19] M.M. Shanwaz and P. Shyam, "Anti-bacterial effect and characteristics of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) formed with Vitex negundo plant extract," Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, vol. 195, no. 3, pp. 1630–1643, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-022-04217-8
[20] N. Jaiswal and A. Kumar, "Identification, quantification, and bioactivity of Vitex negundo phenolic acids as efficacious anti-candidal and antibiofilm agents targeting Candida albicans," Journal of Medical Mycology, vol. 35, no. 2, Art. no. 101550, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2025.101550
[21] F. Baghi, A. Gharsallaoui, E. Dumas, G. Agusti, and S. Ghnimi, "Characterization of antimicrobial multilayer film based on ethylcellulose-pectin incorporated with nanoemulsions of trans-cinnamaldehyde essential oil," Food Chemistry: X, vol. 22, Art. no. 101261, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101261
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
