Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development
Articles

Hydrogel Formulation with Encapsulated Extracts From Blumea Balsamifera, Annona Squamosa, and Annona Muricata Leaves For Potential Antibacterial Activity

  • Blanca Marie Hermano,
  • Ms. Angelika Carriedo
Blanca Marie Hermano
Instructor
Ms. Angelika Carriedo
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology
DOI: https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.288

Published 12/30/2025

Keywords

  • Annona muricata,
  • Annona squamosa,
  • Antibacterial activity,
  • Blumea balsamifera,
  • FTIR,
  • Hydrogel
    • ...More
    Less

How to Cite

Hermano, B. M., & Carriedo, A. (2025). Hydrogel Formulation with Encapsulated Extracts From Blumea Balsamifera, Annona Squamosa, and Annona Muricata Leaves For Potential Antibacterial Activity. The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.60008/thequest.v4i2.288

Copyright (c) 2026 The QUEST: Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Development

Creative Commons License

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

Abstract

The ongoing development of hydrogels encapsulating plant derived compounds, alongside the search for alternative antibacterial drugs, such as compounds produced from plants, has been prompted by the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This study formulated hydrogels encapsulating ethanolic extracts from Blumea balsamifera, Annona squamosa, and Annona muricata leaves to evaluate their potential antibacterial activity. Plant leaves were collected, authenticated, and extracted with ethanol, then incorporated into PVA-agar hydrogels. The hydrogels were analyzed using FTIR to confirm the presence of bioactive compounds and were tested for antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc diffusion method. Additionally, characteristic peaks from FTIR analysis showed that the flavonoids, tannins, and acetogenins from the plant extracts had been successfully incorporated within the hydrogel matrix. However, only the Annona muricata ethanolic extract showed inhibitory action against S. aureus according to antibacterial tests, meanwhile none of the extracts or hydrogels worked against P. aeruginosa. Low extract concentration, restricted release of active chemicals, storage degradation, and the effects of high ethanol concentration during extraction could all be contributing factors to the hydrogels' lack of antibacterial activity. Further research is recommended to improve hydrogel release characteristics, optimize extract concentrations, and improve extraction and preservation techniques in order to improve antibacterial efficacy and broaden biological uses.

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