Ultrafine Web Formation from Bee’s Sweet Treasure

Abstract

Bees’ treasure “honey” is widely used in food, healthcare and cosmetic sectors. Manuka honey (MH) is a special honey derived by honey bees from the manuka tree. MH exhibits unique antibacterial activity called unique manuka factor (UMF). Honey is consumed mostly as liquid or dry powder. In the present study, MH was electrospun into fibre by blending it with polyethylene oxide (PEO). New ultrafine fibrous morphology of MH will widen its potential field of application and method of end use. The Manuka honey and PEO (MHPEO) blended electrospun fibre mats were observed under SEM to study fibre morphology. The effects of various solution parameters like MH/PEO ratio, viscosity, conductivity, surface tension etc. on MHPEO electrospun fibre morphology are also established. Effect of process parameters like feed rate, needle to collector distance (NTCD), applied voltage (app. volt.) etc. on 15% MHPEO (15MHPEO) fibre morphology are also determined. SEM observation revealed that smooth and unmerged fibres were obtained from PEO solution. More merged and thicker MHPEO fibres were obtained with increase in MH content as well as feed rate and decrease in app volt as well as NTCD. Electrospun mats were analysed using FTIR and DSC. FTIR curves showed characteristic peaks related to both PEO and MH in 15MHPEO mat. DSC curves showed shift of melting point towards lower temperature with increase in MH proportion. UV-vis spectra of PEO and MHPEO solutions were also studied.