Development and characterization of the carvone-loaded zein/pullulan hybrid electrospun nanofibers for food and medical applications

Abstract

In this study, the carvone-loaded zein/pullulan electrospun nanofibers (Z/PUL/CAR NFs) were developed and characterized for the first time. The zein/pullulan hybrid NFs were produced at three different blending ratios of 90:10, 80:20, and 70:30 by electrospinning method. The zein/pullulan NFs at a ratio of 80:20 exhibited more homogeneous and bead-free, as well as the lowest average fiber diameter (508 ± 159 nm). In this regard, this NFs was selected as the optimized sample for the incorporation of carvone. The Z/PUL/CAR NFs showed a bead-free and cross-linked structure with an average fiber diameter of 588 ± 288 nm. The compatibility among zein, pullulan, and carvone was approved by thermal gravimetric and X-ray diffraction analysis. Additionally, the Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy indicated the formation of interactions among zein, pullulan, and carvone. The tensile strength and water contact angle values of Z/PUL/CAR NFs were 7.09 ± 0.85 MPa and 96.6 ± 0.7°, respectively. Moreover, the incorporation of carvone in the NFs provided DPPH scavenging activity (39.95 ± 3.81%) and inhibition activity against S. aureus (12.2 ± 1.4 mm) and E. coli (9.6 ± 1.2 mm) bacteria. The biocompatibility of developed NPs was approved by in-vitro cell cytotoxicity assay. In conclusion, the developed electrospun NFs have considerable potential for multiple applications such as food packaging and wound dressing.