Abstract In the present study, the approximate fractal morphometry of spherical-type essential oil microemulsions was performed. The geometric fractal characterization was carried out by a recently published continuous half-fractal model which allowed to model microemulsions as systems in their stable thermodynamic equilibrium phase with high degree of homogeneity. Regarding the characteristic of high homogeneity an equation was developed to roughly describe the volume fractal dimension and the fractal volume of two special cases elaborated from Rosmarinus officinalis and Melaleuca alternifolia previously investigated. In addition, referring to the characteristic of high homogeneity, it was possible to approximate the fractal dimension of area and the fractal area for each microemulsion. Our numerical estimates showed coherence with the principles of Hausdorff-Besicovitch geometry and with the experimental evidence about the physical dimension as a non- integer dimension.

Interest in developing novel wound dressings with antibacterial properties elaborated from natural sources continues to grow. In this study, a Tween-80 (T80)-stabilized carvacrol (CAR) emulsion was incorporated into pectin (PEC) membranes at 0 (control), 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00% (v/v). Membranes were obtained by the dry-casting method, characterized by scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and CAR retention (HPLC), and tested for antibacterial activity. The retention percentage of CAR in the membranes ranged from 9.1-13.9%. Infrared spectra analysis indicated changes in the hydrogen bonds of the membranes that suggest an interaction between the polymer matrix and the CAR:T80 emulsion. Microstructural analysis of the membranes showed the presence of hole-like features on the surface (≈ 4-6 µm diameter) that indicate entrapment of the micelles in the matrix (microcapsules). The PEC-CAR membranes exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two pathogens commonly associated with wounds and intra-hospital infections.