Ultra-Structural Characteristics of Aloe vera-Based Nanofibers as MRSA-Phage Nanocarriers

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical, thermodynamic, and morphological changes and surface topography of Aloe vera (AV)-based nanofibers as the nanocarriers of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). After making the AV-based solutions, the nanofibers were made by electrospinning device and the topography and roughness coefficient of the nanofibers were obtained by atomic force microscopy (AFM). A tensile test was used to evaluate the mechanical properties of the nanofibers and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) was used for thermal testing. The results of AFM showed nanofiber deformation in the combination of AV-phages. It was observed in the mechanical test results that with the addition of phage to AV-nanofibers, although the elastic module decreased, the elongation percentage increased, with high resistance to stretching. Also, the thermal analysis results were such that the addition of phage to AV-nanofibers increased the thermal stability of the nanofibers. The addition of MRSA phages to the Aloe vera nanofibers was increased thermal stability and the percentage of elongation of the nanofibers. The combination of AV-phage nanofibers creates a new carrying capacity at the nanofiber level to be a candidate for wound dressing as a therapeutic agent.