Development and Characterization of Electrospun Nanostructures Using Polyethylene Oxide: Potential Means for Incorporation of Bioactive Compounds

Sergiana Dos P Ramos,Ailton C Lemes,Anna R C Braga,Robert Da S Paiva,Jonas T Do Marco,Veridiana V De Rosso,Mariana B Egea,Elson Longo,Tatiana M Mazzo,Michele A Giaconia,Marcelo Assis

doi:10.3390/colloids4020014

Abstract

The development of processes for stabilization of the properties of bioactive compounds has been studied in recent years, and the use of nanotechnology is among the most discussed routes. The present work addressed the assembly of nanostructures using polyethylene oxide (PEO), the production of core-shell nanofibers (NFs) with bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of their microscopic and physical characteristics. Aqueous solutions of PEO were electrospun by varying different process and solution parameters (PEO and NaCl concentrations, feeding rate, the tip-to-collector distance (TCD), and applied voltage) in order to optimize production of nanostructures. The best condition obtained was evaluated to form core-shell NFs composed by jussara pulp as a source of anthocyanins. To assess the production of NFs with PEO and jussara pulp, feed solutions were prepared in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) with 6% PEO and 10% lyophilized jussara pulp, at a feeding rate of 150 μL·h−1 and TCD of 15 cm using an applied voltage of 10 kV to form core-shell NFs. The results revealed the formation of core-shell NFs with a diameter of 126.5 ± 50.0 nm. The outcomes achieved represent a crucial step in the application of anthocyanins in food systems as pigments, establishing a basis for further research on the incorporation of nanomaterials into foodstuff.

Highlights

Electrospinning is a method that was developed in the early 20th century, and it is known to be a versatile and economical fiber formation technique that is suitable for the production of nanometer-sized fibers
Electrospinning involves the drawing of fluid in the form of either molten polymer or polymer solution and, unlike conventional drawing methods where an external mechanical force pushes the molten polymer through a die, electrospinning makes use of charges that are applied to the fluid, causing a stretching force to be applied to a collector in which there is a potential gradient
Considering the factors detected by a careful literature search on parameters that could influence production of nanostructures using the electrospinning process, feeding rate (150–3000 μL·h−1, polyethylene oxide (PEO) concentration (1%–8% w/v), NaCl concentration (0%–2.5% w/v), tip-to-collector distance (TCD) (10–15 cm), and applied voltage (10–24 kV) featured among the main findings [22,23,24,25,38,39,40,41,42]

Summary

Introduction

Electrospinning is a method that was developed in the early 20th century, and it is known to be a versatile and economical fiber formation technique that is suitable for the production of nanometer-sized fibers. In recent years, this method has improved significantly in terms of instrument design and, by the possibility of extruding a wide range of polymers [1,2]. The electrospinning of polymer solutions relies on the evaporation of the solvent, which allows the polymer to solidify, forming polymer fiber This technique has been employed to produce continuous fibers from a wide variety of materials—including nanofibers (NFs) possessing diameters of a few nanometers—and the process, offers exceptional flexibility [3,4]

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