Modification of cotton gauze by electrospinning of gelatin and honey biopolymer solution

Abstract

In this study, bioactive nanofibers were fabricated using gelatin and honey via electrospinning method. Gelatin/honey solutions were fabricated using six blend ratios 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, 80:20, 75:25 and 70:30, respectively. Modern wound dressings, produced by electrospinning of new biopolymers, mimic the structure of skin due to their similarity to the Extracellular Matrix (ECM) fibrillar part, and have the appropriate biocompatibility and antimicrobial properties. Gelatin/honey solutions were electrospun on the cotton gauze for making a double layer dressing to mimic the skin layers. Morphology of gelatin nanofibers and gelatin/honey nanofibers was observed under Scanning Electron Microscope which showed bead-free nanofibers up to incorporation of 10 wt% honey. Electrospun gelatin/honey nanofibers were successfully obtained with average diameters ranging from 189.2 ± 66.2 nm to 323.7 ± 24.1 nm. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectrum illustrated successful incorporation of honey to the gelatin nanofibers. Water contact angle measuring was done with Sessile drop method, which proved hydrophobicity was increased by adding honey. The results suggest the potentials of the dual-layer nanofibrous membrane to use in dermal applications. Therefore, the developed gelatin/honey nanofibrous membranes are promising for wound dressings.