Selection and Characterization of Some Essential Oils for the Treatment of Medical Furs

OLGA NICULESCU1*, LUMINITA ALBU1, MARIA CARMEN LOGHIN2, CARMEN GAIDAU1, LUCRETIA MIU1, GHEORGHE COARA1 1National Research and Development Institute for Textiles and Leather Division Leather and Footwear Research Institute, 93 Ion Minulescu Str., 031215, Bucharest, Romania 2Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Faculty of Textile Leather and Industrial Management, 29 Dimitrie Mangeron Str., 700050, Iasi, Romania

The improvement of natural fur processing technologies is closely related to chemical auxiliaries used in various operations to improve processing efficiency or to delay or prevent the occurrence of undesirable phenomena that affect the quality of natural furs and fur articles.
In fur processing technologies, finishing can be carried out in two ways: by treatments in the float and by pressing the hair, typically after setting out and fixing the hairs in order to obtain some special effects. [1,2] Heat can relieve rheumatic pain (transmitted by applying natural fur).
Sanitation of medical furs was made using the essential oils, with therapeutic effect, in the final treatment of tanned furs.
Many species of herbs containing essential oils bring their contribution all over the world in preventing various diseases.
The development of synthetic substances has replaced almost 80% of the therapeutic arsenal, herbal medicines being replaced by chemical synthesis, but a multitude of adverse effects were found that disrupt the body's adaptive mechanisms.
The fact that living organisms have not been programmed to accept other substances than those which nature produces specifically for the benefit of all living beings has been so far ignored.
It is now increasingly accepted that herbs can be successfully used in treating certain diseases.
Essential oils are oily, water-insoluble, alcohol-and organic solvent-soluble liquids with a characteristic odor of the volatile substances they contain [3,4].
The antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, immunostimulatory, sedative, flavoring properties demonstrated by the many studies conducted in recent years on the composition of essential oils make them important in areas such as the chemical, food, pharmaceutical, perfumery industries, and last, but not least, in agriculture and medicine. Volatile oil properties are directly related to their composition, both qualitatively and quantitatively.
Current studies focus on the development and optimization of analytical methods able to determine the composition of these oils (chromatographic fingerprint), and identify certain compounds that attest to the quality and authenticity of the products [16,17].
This paper presents characterization of the cajeput and mint essential oils by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy -GC-MS and FT-IR spectrometry, and the process of obtaining and physical-chemical characterization of new products based on cajeput and mint essential oils, ethyl alcohol, non-ionogenic surfactants from the category of polyethoxylated fatty alcohols and polyethylene glycols, and cationic surfactants (quaternary ammonium salts), for the treatment of medical furs.
Synthesis of materials based on plant extracts for biological protection and fragrance of fur was conducted in a glass flask using a heating and homogenization installation (Velp) and an ultrasonic bath (Elmasonic S 15 H).
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) Analysis: Analysis of the essential oils was carried out by using Agilent 7890 A GC System equipped with Agilent 5795 C MS, and HP-5 MS (0.25 mm x 30 m i.d., film thickness 0.25). The carried gas helium (99.9%) at a flow rate of 1 mL/ min; ionization energy was 70 eV. Mass range m/z 50-650 amu. Data acquisition was scan mode. MS transfer line temperature was 250 0 C, MS Ionization source temperature was 230 0 C, the injection port temperature was 250 0 C. The samples were injected with 250 split ratio. The injection volume was 1 µL. Oven temperature was programmed in the range of 50 to 250 0 C at 3 0 C/ min. The structure of each compound was identified by comparison with their mass spectrum (Nist 05 and Wiley 7 library) [17].
Obtaining product based on cajeput and mint essential oils The following components were added to the mixing vessel: 60% cajeput (or 60% mint) essential oil, 10% ethyl alcohol, 10% lauric alcohol ethoxylate with seven moles of ethylene oxide, 8% polyethylene glycol 400 (nonionogenic), 1% hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic) and 11% deionized water. Components were homogenised using a mechanical stirrer, on an electrically heated installation, at the temperature of 30-35 0 C, for 15-20 min. In order to homogenise components, an ultrasound bath was used, in which the glass flask was inserted, at the temperature of 25 0 C, for 10 min.
The products obtained were marked P-CAJ and P-MIN. [21][22][23][24] Results and discussions Characterisation of components used to obtain products Cajeput and mint essential oils used to obtain products were analysed using GC-MS and FT-IR. Chromatogram for cajeput and mint oils is shown in figure 1 and 2, and identification of compounds in their composition is presented in table 1 and 2.
Chemical characteristics of products based on essentials oils were determined according to the following standards: dry substance (%) -SR EN ISO 4684:2006; pH -SR-EN ISO 4098: 2006.
The following were determined Chromium VI contentundetectable values for furs assortments obtained.
Chemical characteristics of the Merinos furs were determined according to the following standards: the content of chromium oxide (%) -SR EN ISO 17075:2008.
The obtained products can be applied to Merinos sheep fur in two ways: -in the float as a final operation using 20-30% essential oil based products in 100% water bath at 50-60°C in the presence of a biodegradable nonionic emulsifier, ethoxylated lauryl alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide (10% of the amount of product used) for 30 min.
-by dabbing with a cloth on the fur or fur articles. Treatment with these products can be repeated at certain time intervals, and the application procedure on the fur surface or fur articles is easy.
Fur articles treated with the developed products, in a proportion of 30%, are more effective than those treated with the same products in a proportion of 20%.
Eucalyptol, the ingredient in the composition of cajeput oil, with analgesic and disinfectant properties, are effective in the treatment of patients suffering from rheumatism, lumbar radiculopathy and cervical spondylosis, stimulating blood circulation and relieving rheumatic and joint pain.
Menthol, the ingredient in the composition of peppermint oil, stimulates receptors signaling the cold sensation and inhibits receptors reacting to pain stimuli, temporarily relieving muscle pain.
The products can be used to treat the surface of finished sheep furskins (free of metals) for medical purposes and improve the quality of natural fur and fur articles (lumbar belts, ankle guards, bootees etc.) used to prevent, relieve and treat rheumatic, muscular, circulatory disorders, complementing the medical treatment of patients suffering from these conditions, keeping the fur-covered area warm.
The treatment of each person varies depending on their general health, allergies, age and gender.
The P-CAJ and P-MIN products with therapeutic properties (analgesic, anti-inflammatory and relaxing) can be used (in proportion of 20-30%) for treatment of medical furs.
Sheepskins were be tanned with syntans based on phenolsulphonic acids and aromatic oxisulfones.
The products can be used to treat the surface of finished sheep furskins (free of metals) for medical purposes and improve the quality of natural fur and fur articles (lumbar belts, ankle guards, bootees etc.) used to prevent, relieve and treat rheumatic, muscular, circulatory disorders, complementing the medical treatment of patients suffering from these conditions, keeping the fur-covered area warm.