ABSTRACT:
The aims of this study were to formulate films containing mangosteen peel extract (MPE) and to investigate their physicochemical characteristics, mechanical properties, as well as antibacterial activity. The film backbone composed of natural biodegradable polymers, i.e. agar, sodium alginate and pectin. Propylene glycol and glycerin were also used as plasticizers. All film components used have been in a GRAS status. The films were prepared by casting and drying method. The in-house prepared MPE by column chromatography technique possessed 77.86±1.13% a-mangostin, an antibacterial marker. The optimal film formulation with area of 25x30 cm2 was composed of 1-g agar, 1-g sodium alginate, 1.5-g pectin, 20-ml propylene glycol and 0.9-ml glycerin. It was selected to incorporate with MPE to obtain 160 mg/film or 0.213 mg/cm2 antibacterial films. The obtained films were clear with yellow color and had smooth surface. Their physicomechanical characteristics, i.e. appearance, thickness, moisture uptake, tensile strength and elongation break were acceptable for application on the skin. X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited that the form of a-mangostin was not changed after film incorporation. The active entrapment, assayed by HPLC using standard a-mangostin as a marker, was higher than 90%. The antibacterial films had satisfied stability, active release via dissolution of the polymers, and antibacterial activity against harmful skin-infectious bacteria, i.e. S. aureus, S. epidermidis and P. acnes. It was concluded that MPE could be incorporated in films for treatment of skin infection.