Electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers were produced via electrospinning process. The structure and morphology of nanofibers were evaluated through a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FE-SEM demonstrated that the average diameter of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers were 125.5 ± 33.6 nm, 91.8 ± 27.1 nm, and 111.7 ± 39.8 nm for 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075% (w/v) α-mangosteen concentration, respectively, meanwhile the average diameter of electrospun chitosan–PEO nanofibers and electrospun α-mangosteen–PEO nanofibers was 124.8 ± 52.8 nm and 153.5 ± 49 nm, respectively. The FE-SEM image of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers shows that the higher concentration of PEO resulted in smooth morphology, no beads, and continuous fibers. The morphology of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers resulted in a better preservative than the morphology of electrospun α-mangosteen–PEO nanofibers. The FTIR spectra of the electrospun nanofibers demonstrate the presence of characteristic peaks of α-mangosteen, chitosan, and PEO and indicate intermolecular interactions via hydrogen bonds. The average diameter of the electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers are within the size range of the extracellular matrix of the natural structure. Therefore, the electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers are the potential for biomedical applications.