Gelatin Cryogels Enriched with Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia): Characterization and Antibacterial Properties

Abstract Cryogel, which is a frequently used polymer material in recent years, has begun to be evaluated together with alternative treatment methods. Especially, therapeutic effectiveness of cryogels has been gradually increased with the contribution of biocompatible materials and plant ingredients. Natural polymers are known for their high biocompatibility, so there are many studies focusing on the relationship between structure and function in plant-based biopolymers. As a result, various dressing materials including gelatin, alginate, chitosan (CS), inorganic materials have been developed as biopolymers. In this study, gelatin-based cryogels containing three different concentrations of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree plant) oil (TTO-GCry) were synthesized under the specified conditions and characterization studies were carried out Their antibacterial activity was evaluated by using two bacterial strains (E.coli and S. aureus). As a result of the evaluation, the antibacterial effectiveness of the developed cryogels on E. coli was between 21–50%, and on S. aureus it was between 28–72%. It can be stated that an increase in the amount of tea tree oil within the cryogel leads to an increase in its antibacterial effectiveness. This cryogel, which has antimicrobial properties, is composed of natural materials and has an environmentally-friendly structure. Its macroporous structure allows it to be used for multifunctional purposes, especially as a hemostatic agent in emergency situations and as a wound dressing material in wound healing.