Development and characterization of Forcespinning® mesquite gum nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, nanofibers incorporating Prosopis glandulosa mesquite gum (MG) exudate combined with biodegradable polymers, pullulan (PL) and chitosan (CH), were produced via the Forcespinning® technique. The nonwoven composite membranes were characterized via scanning electron microscopy followed by thermogravimetric and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. MG nanofiber composites comprised long, continuous fibers with an average fiber diameter of 523±180 nm and 760±225 nm for 18.1 and 28 wt% of MG, respectively. These composite membranes were water-stable after crosslinking via heat treatment with a ~3% water absorption capacity, and demonstrated a thermal capability with an increasing residual weight of ~4% near 900 °C at an increasing MG concentration. After 24 hr bacterial growth analysis, MG composite fiber based membranes show antibacterial properties against E. coli and B. megaterium bacteria with inhibition zones of 11 and 10 mm, respectively. Here, the successful incorporation of naturally-derived MG exudate into nanofiber systems was demonstrated, for potential utilization as a natural alternative for wound healing purposes.