Nanofibers Research Articles

Fabrication and In-Vivo Evaluation of Polyvinyl pyrrolidone/Poloxamer 188 Hybrid Nanofibers of Deflazacort

The superior flexibility, efficient drug loading, high surface-to-volume ratio, ease of formulation, and cost-controlled production are considered exceptional advantages of nanofibers (NFs) as a smart delivery system. Deflazacort (DEF) is an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant agent. It is categorized as a poorly soluble class II drug. In this study, DEF-loaded polymeric nanofibrous using the electrospinning technique mats, Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) with or without Poloxamer 188 (PX) were used as mat-forming polymers. Microscopical imaging, drug content (%), and in vitro dissolution studies were conducted for all NFs formulae (F1-F7). All NFs improved the DEF dissolution compared to the unprocessed form, with the superiority of the PVP/PX hybrid. The optimized formula (F7) exhibited an average diameter of 655.46 ± 90.4 nm and % drug content of 84.33 ± 5.58. The dissolution parameters of DEF loaded in PVP/PX NFs (F7) reflected a release of 95.3 % ± 3.1 and 102.6 % ± 1.7 after 5 and 60 min, respectively. NFs (F7) was investigated for drug-polymer compatibility using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Powder X-ray diffraction analysis (PXRD), and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). In vivo anti-inflammatory study employing male Sprague-Dawley rats showed a significant reduction of rat paw edema for F7 (p < 0.05) compared with unprocessed DEF with a normal epidermal and dermal skin structure comparable to the healthy negative control. Immunohistochemical and morphometric data displayed similarities between the immune reaction of F7 and the negative healthy control. The finding of this work emphasized that DEF loaded in PVP/PX NFs could be considered a useful strategy for enhancing the therapeutic performance of DEF.

Stimulation of Bone ingrowth using YSZ/ β-TCP/PCL composite bilayer coating on 316 LSS scaffold for orthopedic application

The demand towards ideal tissue construct using polymer and ceramics made the researchers to do the search of polymer composites with desirable properties. Material selection for the composite play a major role to get long life. The selection of materials can be based on the nature, location and tissue type, which should be regenerated. Normally, a bone construct has its own requirements like osteo conduction properties, Tendency to mineralize, Rate of degradation and osteogenic differentiation properties. The best approach is to create regenerative medicine using suitable devices. This work focuses on developing the scaffold using 316L stainless steel fabricated with dual coating. The first layer of coating was made using Yttria Stabilized Zirconia by electrophoretic deposition. While the top second layer made as electro spun over 316L stainless steel . The electro spun made with β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) incorporated in PCL (Polycaprolactone). The process of electrospinning preferred to achieve porous surface. The bilayer scaffold performance was evaluated by surface morphology, bioactivity, bioresorbable and biodegradability with its cell adhesion capacity were studied. The results of X-ray diffraction reveal the presence of nanoparticle on the top layer of 316L stainless steel scaffold. The surface topography studies using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) confirms more than 70 % porosity. The functional group present in YSZ/β-TCP/PCL composite bilayer on 316L SS were determined using FTIR. The developed bilayer coated 316L Stainless steel scaffolds further evaluated by invitro studies to confirm the cell adhesion capability. MG 63 cell line isolated from the bone and possess fibroblast morphology was used for the assay. The cells were cultured and exposed to the developed scaffold, the cultured cells were exposed to MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and the reduction of MTT directly measures the cell viability and the color change read through spectrophotometer. The cell growth and proliferation confirm its cell adhesion property. This present study helps in drug delivery using the nano fibers incorporated with bioresorbable TCP. The presence of TCP on the top of electro spun layer substantially supports the osteo conductivity through mineralization and degradation property.

Structure-Piezoelectric Property Relationships of Thin Films Composed of Electrospun Aligned Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanofibers.

In the past two decades, many studies on piezoelectric nanofibers (NFs) prepared from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers, including single NFs, randomly oriented nonwoven mats, and aligned NFs, have been reported. However, studies on the relationships between the PVDF NF diameter, the orientation of the β-phase crystals inside NFs, and the piezoelectric properties of the NFs are still limited. In this study, the effect of the fiber diameter on the internal molecular packing/orientation and piezoelectric properties of aligned PVDF NF thin films was investigated. Herein, piezoelectric thin films composed of densely packed, uniaxially aligned, PVDF NFs with diameters ranging from 228 to 1315 nm were prepared by means of electrospinning with a rotating collector and successive hot-pressing and poling. The effect of the diameters of PVDF NFs on their internal structures, as well as the piezoelectric properties of the thin films, was investigated. All prepared NFs mainly contained β-phase crystals with a similar total crystallinity. The orientation of the β-phase crystals inside the NFs increased with an increase in the fiber diameter, resulting in an improved transverse piezoelectric coefficient (d31) for the thin films. The output voltage of the prepared thin films reached a maximum of 2.7 V at 104 Hz.

Development of Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Chitosan Composite Nanofibers for Dual Drug Therapy of Wounds.

Current trends in localized drug delivery are emphasizing the development of dual drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers (NFs) for an improved therapeutic effect on wounds, especially infected skin wounds. The objective of this study was to formulate a new healing therapy for an infected skin wound. To achieve this goal, this study involved the development and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/chitosan nanofibers loaded with ciprofloxacin and rutin hydrate. Polymers and drugs were used in different ratios. Nanofiber morphology was studied by scanning electron microscopy, thermal stability by thermogravimetric analysis, structural determination by the X-ray diffraction method, and integrity by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Dissolution studies were performed to check the drug release behavior of the formulations. Antibacterial studies were performed against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The wound healing efficiency of dual drug-loaded nanofibers was measured by a full-thickness excisional wound model of rabbits. The fabricated nanofibers were smooth in morphology. According to FTIR findings, the drugs remained intact in the nanofibers. The results of swelling ratio and porosity revealed that the pore size was increased as the amount of chitosan was increased up to 30% but a further increase in chitosan concentration reduced the swelling ratio and porosity. Drug release studies of nanofibers depicted an initial burst effect and afterward controlled drug release behavior. Drug-loaded nanofibers showed better activity against S. aureus than P. aeruginosa. The antibacterial efficacy of rutin hydrate with ciprofloxacin was improved compared to that of the formulation having rutin hydrate only, likely due to the additive effect in activity. Based on wound healing studies, nanofibrous membranes acted as a promising wound dressing material as compared to the commercial wound healing formulation. Drug-loaded polymeric nanofibers were successfully fabricated by using an electrospinning method. These nanofibers showed an efficient ability to deliver drugs and treat infected wounds.

Solar-powered commercial diesel fuel desulfurization: Exploring the factors affecting and recyclability of mesoporous Tl-doped TiO2 nanofiber photocatalysts

The study aims to fabricate mesoporous TiO2 nanofibers (NFs) with different thallium (Tl) doping ratios (1–2 wt%) using the solution electrospinning method and examine their photocatalytic oxidation activity in the desulfurization of commercial diesel fuel. The results show that the Tl doping restricted the transition of the anatase to rutile fraction, shifting it from an initial composition of 58.3% rutile and 41.7% anatase to a significantly altered state with only 2.4% rutile and 97.6% anatase. Additionally, Tl-doping resulted in a decrease in crystalline size (from 55.4 to 9.5 nm), a reduction in the band gap from 3.2 to 2.93 eV, and a decrease in the diameter of the nanofibers from 200 nm to 100 nm, compared to pristine TiO2 NFs. The most efficient photocatalyst, 1 wt% Tl-doped TiO2 NFs, demonstrated remarkable performance with 98.74% sulphur removal under Xenon lamp irradiation (450 nm, 500 Watts) for 90 min. Under sunlight, the photocatalytic oxidation activity in the desulfurization process resulted in a remarkable reduction of 99.2% in sulphur content, decreasing from 11500 ppm to 98 ppm. Notably, this photocatalyst demonstrated efficient oxidative photocatalytic desulfurization and maintained the recyclability of the solvent over eight cycles without any loss.

Utilization of Palm Oil Waste into Liquid Smoke in Cellulose Commercial Starch Nano Fiber Composite as Antimicrobial Substances in the Manufacturing of Food Packaging

The high demand for plastic use today will result in environmental damage because the plastic that is widely used cannot be broken down. This plastic waste is dangerous for the sustainability of the food chain, pollutes water and soil, causes global warming, and causes air pollution. This research synthesizes a cellulose nanofiber composite with commercial starch in a 1:1 ratio with the influence of the addition of smoke liquid from palm oil waste. This research aims to process cellulose nanocomposite fibers combined with commercial starch and use them in biodegradable plastic by testing the effect of giving smoke liquid on the development of microbial substances in environmentally friendly biodegradable plastic food packaging. So the resulting product is expected to have the potential to reduce dependence on the use of synthetic plastic. This research aims to determine the optimum concentration of liquid acid from empty oil palm fruit bunches as an antimicrobial agent in the resulting bioplastic. The addition of liquid smoke changes the bioplastic properties of FTIR and XRD the attractive strength of bioplastic. The sample with the highest concentration of liquid smoke had the greatest tensile strength (2.34 MPa). The addition of liquid smoke concentration from empty oil palm shells showed a good inhibitory area for the development of bacillus cereus (10.8 mm).&#x0D; Keywords: liquid smoke, plastic biodegradable, food packaging, antimicrobial

Fabrication of Stable Dual‐Layer Polymer‐Based Nanofibers with Applications for Food Preservation

AbstractThe aim of the study was to produce dual nanofibers (NFs) with antibacterial and antioxidant properties, and to determine the potential use of dual NFs in food preservation. For this purpose, Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers and Hydroxypropyl Beta Cyclodextrin (HPβ‐CD) polymer were used to produce nanofibers. Nisin, which is in the GRAS class, was used for the antibacterial properties of NFs and black seed cumin oil (BCSO) was used for antibacterial and antioxidant effects. PCL_BCSO‐NFs has an antimicrobial effect on both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Furthermore, PCL_BCSO‐NFs showed antibacterial activity of 50 % and above after long periods of storage at the room temperature. Nisin loaded HPβ‐CD‐NF and dual layer nanofiber exhibited antibacterial activity of 3.5±0.3 cm and 3.1±0.3 cm zone diameter against S. aureus and E. coli respectively. Furthermore, PCL/BCSO‐HPβ_CD/Nisin‐NFs showed a high antimicrobial effect until day 60. Antioxidant activity of PCL_BCSO‐NFs was 63.2 % while 52.9 % was observed by dual layer NFs. In addition, the antioxidant activity of PCL/BCSO‐HPβ_CD/Nisin‐NFs ranged from 52 to 70 % for 1d and 7 days storage period. Therefore, nanofiber based mats containing BCSO and nisin as a food packaging material can potentially provide protection to extend the shelf life of food products.

GSH‐Responsive Shape‐Transformable Nanotheranostics for Dual‐Modal T1/T2 MRI‐Guided Enhanced PDT of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

AbstractBased on the properties of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), combining them to construct multifunctional nanotheranostics can leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses for tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, certain problems remain unsolved, notably the short observation window caused by insufficient retention time. In this study, a GSH‐responsive shape‐transformable nanotheranostics Gd‐Ce6‐FFVLGGGC‐SS‐PEG are designed (abbreviated as GdCFS) by combining a single metal Gd with Ce6, and peptide (Phe‐Phe‐Val‐Leu‐Gly‐Gly‐Gly‐Cys) disulfide‐conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to perform dual‐modal T1/T2 MRI specifically at the tumor site. Due to its amphiphilic features, GdCFS can self‐assemble to spherical nanoparticles, while transforming to nanofibers (NFs) in the presence of intracellular overexpressed GSH stimuli. After NFs formation, the hydrophobic core of GdCFS is exposed, resulting in T1 positive contrast enhancement, whereas NFs can simultaneously achieve T2 negative contrast enhancement. Furthermore, GSH depletion can cause imbalance in intracellular redox state, ultimately improving PDT efficacy. GdCFS benefits from the shape‐transformation in terms of sufficient retention time, thus positively minimizing the toxicity risk. On the tumor model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, in vivo and in vitro outcomes confirm that GdCFS can be a promising candidate for early diagnosis, real‐time monitoring, and precise treatment of tumors with great biocompatibility.

Orally fast dissolving α-lipoic acid electrospun nanofibers mitigates lipopolysaccharide induced inflammation in RAW 264.7 macrophages

α-Lipoic acid (LA), a dietary supplement known for its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential, faces challenges due to its poor aqueous solubility and thermal instability. To address these issues, herein methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M-β-CD) was utilized to create inclusion complex (IC) of LA in 1:1 M stoichiometric ratio of M-β-CD to LA. The LA-M-β-CD-IC was further combined with pullulan (PUL), a non-toxic and water-soluble biopolymer, for the development of electrospun nanofibers (NF) by green and sustainable approach. The resulting PUL/LA/M-β-CD NF formed as a self-standing and flexible material with an average diameter of 569 ± 129 nm and encapsulation efficiency of ∼86.90 %. The developed NF demonstrated an accelerated release, quick dissolution, and disintegration when exposed to artificial saliva replicating the conditions of oral cavity. PUL/LA/M-β-CD NF attenuated the production of ROS and NO by downregulating pro-inflammatory enzymes (iNOS and COX-2) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Moreover, PUL/LA/M-β-CD NF also significantly downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β along with suppression of NF-ĸB nuclear translocation in comparison to LA (at 250 μM). In nutshell, PUL/LA/M-β-CD NF demonstrated great potential as a rapid disintegrating delivery system for oral anti-inflammatory treatment due to the enhanced physicochemical characteristics of LA.

FcLR-Chitosan/Pullulan nanofibers: Boosted antibacterial activity and decreased cytotoxicity

Natural and environmentally benign electrospun polymeric nanofibers (NFs) with distinctive features, unique physiochemical and biological properties, and high susceptibility to carry non-toxic antibacterial cargoes, e.g., ferrocenyl-based compounds, have emerged as a neo-tool for killing bacteria. Here, the antibacterial FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs were fabricated through three steps: 1) synthesis of FcLR-Chit via the attachment of chitosan to Ferrocenyl Lawesson’s Reagent (FcLR), 2) blending of the FcLR-Chit at various concentrations with the natural polymer of pullulan, and 3) electrospinning. The successfully characterized FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs with a homogenous distribution of FcLR-Chit inside the pullulan matrix were thermally stable up to 270–290 ºC and mechanically stable with an increased elongation at break (EAB) (30.0–42.2%) and decreased tensile strength (TS) (1.1–2.3 MPa) compared to the pure pullulan NFs with the EAB of 19.0% and TS of 3.6 MPa. Pure pullulan NFs and FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs (0.1 wt%, 1.0 wt%, and 5.0 wt%) showed insignificant cytotoxicity on the fibroblast cell lines (L929). The antibacterial activity was detected in the trend of FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs (5.0 wt%)>FcLR-Chit powder (5.0 wt% in water)>FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs (1.0 wt%)>FcLR powder (5.0 wt% in water)>FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs (0.1 wt%)>chitosan powder (5.0 wt% in water)> pure pullulan NFs. The FcLR-Chit/Pull NFs (5.0 wt%) with an average diameter of 365 nm, insignificant cytotoxicity on L929 cells within 24 h and 48 h, and boosted antibacterial activity with the inhibition zone diameter of 1.95 mm against Gram-negative E. Coli and 1.76 mm against Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria were chosen as the optimal nanofibrous candidate for the future bactericidal applications.

Electrospun Cu-Co ferrite nanofibers: synthesis, structure, optical and magnetic properties, and anti-cancer activity.

In this study, we investigated Cu-Co ferrite nanofibers (NFs) that were synthesized for the first time employing the electrospinning technique. The structure, phase purity and crystallite size of all the prepared NFs were revealed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The NFs crystallized in the Fd3̄m (no. 227) space group and the cation distribution arrangement over distinct sites in their structure was analyzed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) together with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy analysis showed the microstructure of the NFs and verified their expected chemical compositions. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images confirmed the fibrous nature and the construction of the NFs. The band gap energies derived from the UV-vis reflectance spectra showed a blue shift with an increase in the amount of Cu in the sample from 1.42 eV to 1.86 eV. Magnetization (M) as a function of magnetic field (H) measurements performed at ambient and low temperatures showed the ferrimagnetic behavior of all the NFs. The magnetic parameters including coercivity (Hc), saturation magnetization (Ms), remanent magnetization (Mr), and squareness ratio were determined from the recorded magnetization curves. At 300 K, Ms was reduced from 78.8 to 42.4 emu g-1, Mr reduced from 22.8 to 7.6 emu g-1 and the Bohr magneton reduced from 3.3 to 1.8μB with an increase in the content of Cu in the samples. The same trend was observed at 10 K, where Ms was reduced from 93.7 to 50.9 emu g-1, Mr reduced from 60.9 to 35.9 emu g-1 and the Bohr magneton reduced from 3.94 to 2.16μB. Alternatively, Hc has the highest values for x = 0 (850 Oe at 300 K and 5220 Oe at 10 K) and x = 0.6 (800 Oe at 300 K and 5400 Oe at 10 K). The anti-cancer activity of the NFs was evaluated using the MTT cell viability assay, showing a reduction in the viability of both HCT-116 and HeLa cancer cells compared to non-cancerous HEK-293 cells after treatment with the NFs. Apoptotic activity was examined by DAPI staining, where treatment with the NFs induced chromatin condensation and nuclear disintegration in HCT-116 cells.

Production of zein nanofibers using an electrospinning technique for the encapsulation of peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil

Peppermint is a perennial herb with high inhibitory power against bacteria because its chemical profile contains menthol and menthone. In this research, peppermint essential oil (PEO) was encapsulated in various levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10% w/v) in nanofibers (NFs) obtained from zein using an electrospinning technique. SEM, XRD, TGA, and FTIR tests were performed to investigate the characteristics of NFs after producing them. Also, the resultant NFs were evaluated regarding encapsulation efficiency (EE) and antimicrobial properties via disc-diffusion against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Salmonella enterica. The results indicated that the morphology was tubular, uniform, and free bead. Fiber diameter increased on average by increasing the amount of PEO (p<0.05). XRD results showed that PEO was amorphous in electrospun zein NFs. TGA and FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of PEO in the electrospun fibers. In addition, the FTIR spectrum showed that the zein protein changed its secondary structure because of the PEO. The results of EE showed that an increase in PEO concentration caused a relevant rise in EE (P<0.05). The electrospun NFs containing PEO showed antimicrobial properties against the target bacteria. According to the current research, NFs obtained from zein via electrospinning can be applied suitably as a substrate to encapsulate PEO as a hydrophobic component.

Development of active packaging material based on polycaprolactone/hydroxypropyl methylcellulose nanofibers containing carbon dot nanoparticles for meat preservation

This work demonstrates the feasibility of using a combination of biodegradable polycaprolactone (PCL) and natural-based hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) polymers containing carbon dots (CDs) for food packaging applications. CDs were synthesized using the insoluble portion of Zedo gum. The 5% and 15% concentrations of bare Zedo CDs (Z-CD) and nitrogen and sulfur co-doped CDs (TZ-CD) were chosen for incorporation into PCL/HPMC nanofibers (NFs). The PCL/HPMC/Z-CD15% and PCL/HPMC/TZ-CD15% demonstrated improved tensile strength (12.88 and 15.01 MPa), water solubility (30.20 and 42.36%), and water vapor transmittance (0.62 and 0.71 g mm/m2 h kPa)), respectively. When comparing the release of CDs in 10%, 50%, and 95% ethanolic solutions, it was found that TZ-CD released more rapidly than Z-CD from NFs in all three simulants. The CDs-added NFs exhibited potent antioxidant activity (80.5%). More significant antimicrobial activity against S. aureus was observed compared to E. coli. Additionally, reductions in total volatile basic nitrogen and thiobarbituric acid values indicated that beef covered with PCL/HPMC/TZ-CD15% and PCL/HPMC/Z-CD15% NFs had an extended shelf life of more than five days. In conclusion, PCL/HPMC/Z-CD15% and PCL/HPMC/TZ-CD15% NFs can be used as promising biodegradable packaging materials to enhance the shelf life of meat products.

Photosynthetic nano fibers: Living microalgae packaging into polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers using an electrospinning method

AbstractAlthough microalgae are often studied for their biochemical extracts, utilizing them in a viable state opens new avenues for sustainable oxygenation in various systems. This study addresses the challenges of maintaining system homeostasis and presents an effective method for immobilizing live microalgae within poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers using electrospinning technology. Characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fluorescence microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), were used to validate successful immobilization. Rheological studies were performed to investigate the influence of microalgae on the fiber morphology. Changing the PVA concentration, the fiber diameter could be regulated between 150 and 650 nm in the spinnable range. The addition of microalgae to the solution increased the viscosity of the prepared solution and reduced the resulting fiber diameter by approximately 2/3. Our results show that PVA nanofibers effectively encapsulate living microalgae and allow for sustained transport of nutrients and metabolites. The photosynthetic efficacy of the encapsulated microalgae was evaluated using dissolved oxygen measurements and showed two times higher rates of oxygen production and consumption compared with a film‐based approach. Our results show that PVA nanofibers effectively encapsulated living microalgae and allowed for the sustained transport of nutrients and metabolites. This innovative methodology provides a robust platform for immobilizing living microorganisms, with broad implications for applications ranging from regenerative medicine to sustainable agriculture.

Polycaprolactone/polyacrylic acid/graphene oxide composite nanofibers as a highly efficient sorbent to remove lead toxic metal from drinking water and apple juice

Due to the characteristics of electrospun nanofibers (NFs), they are considered a suitable substrate for the adsorption and removal of heavy metals. Electrospun nanofibers are prepared based on optimized polycaprolactone (PCL, 12 wt%) and polyacrylic acid (PAA, 1 wt%) polymers loaded with graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO NPs, 1 wt%). The morphological, molecular interactions, crystallinity, thermal, hydrophobicity, and biocompatibility properties of NFs are characterized by spectroscopy (scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis), contact angle, and MTT tests. Finally, the adsorption efficacy of NFs to remove lead (Pb2+) from water and apple juice samples was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The average diameter for PCL, PCL/PAA, and PCL/PAA/GO NFs was 137, 500, and 216 nm, respectively. Additionally, the contact angle for PCL, PCL/PAA, and PCL/PAA/GO NFs was obtained at 74.32º, 91.98º, and 94.59º, respectively. The cytotoxicity test has shown non-toxicity for fabricated NFs against the HUVEC endothelial cell line by more than 80% survival during 72 h. Under optimum conditions including pH (= 6), temperature (25 °C), Pb concentration (25 to 50 mg/L), and time (15 to 30 min), the adsorption efficiency was generally between 80 and 97%. The adsorption isotherm model of PCL/PAA/GO NFs in the adsorption of lead metal follows the Langmuir model, and the reaction kinetics follow the pseudo-second-order. PCL/PA/GO NFs have shown adsorption of over 80% in four consecutive cycles. The adsorption efficacy of NFs to remove Pb in apple juice has reached 76%. It is appropriate and useful to use these nanofibers as a high-efficiency adsorbent in water and food systems based on an analysis of their adsorption properties and how well they work.

Development of halochromic electrospun labels for non-invasive shelf life assessment of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Incorporation of barberry anthocyanin extract in protein-based smart packaging.

Using barberry (Berberis vulgaris L.) as a natural dye in combination with electrospinning technology represents a promising approach for the development of intelligent packaging systems. In this study, the influence of different concentrations of zein (16, 18, and 20%) and barberry anthocyanin-rich powder (BARP) (16, 18, and 20%) on the surface tension and rheological properties of the solution were evaluated. The most favorable nanofibers (NFs) were obtained from a solution containing 18% (w/w) zein under constant voltage. The surface morphology, size, and color-changing properties of electrospun NFs derived from zein polymers containing different concentrations of BARP (16, 18, and 20%) under various electrical fields (20, 22, and 24 kV) were evaluated. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the interaction of BARP within the zein-based NFs. The results indicated that the concentration of BARP had a noticeable impact on the physicochemical properties of the NFs. Furthermore, efficacy of the appropriately fabricated halochromic label was evaluated for monitoring the packed rainbow trout fillet during refrigerated storage. On the 10th day, a noticeable visual color turned from pink to pale yellow was observed in response to pH variations. Additionally, the TVN value confirmed the effectiveness of halochromic electrospun labels for non-invasive assessment of fish fillet quality.

Preparation and Characterization of NPK Nutrient Loaded Electrospun Cellulose Acetate Nanofiber Mat to be used as a Slow-release Fertilizer

&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D; A major unsolved issue with chemical fertilizers is the low nutrient use efficiency. It has been reported that an excessive amount of up to 70% of the nitrogen applied to plants with traditional fertilizers is lost to the surrounding. Hence, the drastic pollution effects of chemical fertilizer usage. Slow-release fertilizers aim to reduce such losses via slow and sustained release of nutrients to the plant. In this study, we report the successful fabrication and characterization of a novel and biodegradable cellulose acetate (CA) electrospun nanofiber (NF) mat loaded with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium plant nutrients of urea, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HANPs) and MOP respectively to be used as a slow-release fertilizer (SRF). It was envisaged that the unique properties of the electrospun NFs could overcome the shortcomings of traditional slow-release fertilizers (SRFs). The fabrication of the NFs was done with 8.5% w/v CA polymer dissolved in a 6 mL solvent system of acetone to dimethylformamide in a 2:1 volume ratio along with the addition of the aforementioned nutrients at 10% of the polymer weight. Electrospinning parameters were set after parameter optimization. The high-voltage supply was set at 16 kV, the spinneret to collector distance was 13cm and the flow rate was 1.5 ml/h. The solutions were electrospun only when the relative humidity was approximately between 65 to 70%. The HANPs incorporated were synthesized by the wet chemical precipitation method. The successful synthesis of the HANPs was confirmed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) analysis. The successful loading of the nutrients onto the electrospun NF mat was evident from FTIR, Raman and EDX analysis. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscopy images of the nutrient loaded NFs depicted a reduced average diameter with respect to those of the neat NF mat. The total nitrogen percentage of the nutrient loaded NF mat was determined to be 2.60% from Kjeldahl analysis. The initial nutrient release studies in water depicted a biphasic release model for orthophosphate and potassium nutrients while only a burst release profile was observed for nitrogen. It can be concluded that the electrospun NF mats display a potential application with regards to SRFs. However, several modifications to the NF mat fabrication such as the usage of coaxial electrospinning will have to be made in order to better optimize the nutrient loading and enhance its slow-release properties.&#x0D; Keywords: Electrospinning, Nanofiber mat, Slow-release, Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

Synergistic anticancer effect of Pistacia lentiscus essential oils and 5-Fluorouracil co-loaded onto biodegradable nanofibers against melanoma and breast cancer

Chemoresistance and severe toxicities represent major drawbacks of chemotherapy. Natural extracts, including the essential oils of Pistacia lentiscus (PLEO), exhibit substantial anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities where different cancers are reported to dramatically recess following targeting with PLEO. PLEO has promising antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the therapeutic properties of PLEO are restricted by limited stability, bioavailability, and targeting ability. PLEO nanoformulation can maximize their physicochemical and therapeutic properties, overcoming their shortcomings. Hence, PLEO was extracted and its chemical composition was determined by GC–MS. PLEO and 5-Fluorouracil (5FU) were electrospun into poly-ε-caprolactone nanofibers (PCL-NFs), of 290.71 nm to 680.95 nm diameter, to investigate their anticancer and potential synergistic activities against triple-negative breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), human adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells (MCF-7), and human skin melanoma cell line (A375). The prepared nanofibers (NFs) showed enhanced thermal stability and remarkable physical integrity and tensile strength. Biodegradability studies showed prolonged stability over 42 days, supporting the NFs use as a localized therapy of breast tissues (postmastectomy) or melanoma. Release studies revealed sustainable release behaviors over 168 h, with higher released amounts of 5FU and PLEO at pH 5.4, indicating higher targeting abilities towards cancer tissues. NFs loaded with PLEO showed strong antioxidant properties. Finally, NFs loaded with either PLEO or 5FU depicted greater anticancer activities compared to free compounds. The highest anticancer activities were observed with NFs co-loaded with PLEO and 5FU. The developed 5FU-PLEO-PCL-NFs hold potential as a local treatment of breast cancer tissues (post-mastectomy) and melanoma to minimize their possible recurrence.Graphical

Development of 5-fluorouracil/etoposide co-loaded electrospun nanofibrous scaffold for localized anti-melanoma therapy.

Nanofibrous scaffolds have emerged as promising candidates for localized drug delivery systems in the treatment of cutaneous cancers. In this study, we prepared an electrospun nanofibrous scaffold incorporating 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and etoposide (ETP) for chemotherapy targeting melanoma cutaneous cancer. The scaffold was composed of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS), prepared via the electrospinning process and loaded with the chemotherapeutic agents. We conducted relevant physicochemical characterizations, assessed cytotoxicity, and evaluated apoptosis against melanoma A375 cells. The prepared 5-FU/ETP co-loaded PVA/CS scaffold exhibited nanofibers (NFs) with an average diameter of 321 ± 61 nm, defect-free and homogenous morphology. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful incorporation of chemotherapeutics into the scaffold. Additionally, the scaffold demonstrated a hydrophilic surface, proper mechanical strength, high porosity, and efficient liquid absorption capacity. Notably, sustained and controlled drug release was observed from the nanofibrous scaffold. Furthermore, the scaffold significantly increased cytotoxicity (95%) and apoptosis (74%) in A375 melanoma cells. Consequently, the prepared 5-FU/ETP co-loaded PVA/CS nanofibrous scaffold holds promise as a valuable system for localized eradication of cutaneous melanoma tumors and mitigation of adverse drug reactions associated with chemotherapy.

Impedimetric Detection of Cancer Markers Based on Nanofiber Copolymers.

The sensitive determination of folate receptors (FRs) in the early stages of cancer is of great significance for controlling the progression of cancerous cells. Many folic acid (FA)-based electrochemical biosensors have been utilized to detect FRs with promising performances, but most were complicated, non-reproducible, non-biocompatible, and time and cost consuming. Here, we developed an environmentally friendly and sensitive biosensor for FR detection. We proposed an electrochemical impedimetric biosensor formed by nanofibers (NFs) of bio-copolymers prepared by electrospinning. The biosensor combines the advantages of bio-friendly polymers, such as sodium alginate (SA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as an antifouling polymer, with FA as a biorecognition element. The NF nanocomposites were characterized using various techniques, including SEM, FTIR, zeta potential (ZP), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We evaluated the performance of the NF biosensor using EIS and demonstrated FR detection in plasma with a limit of detection of 3 pM. Furthermore, the biosensor showed high selectivity, reliability, and good stability when stored for two months. This biosensor was constructed from 'green credentials' holding polymers that are highly needed in the new paradigm shift in the medical industry.