Preparation of nanofibrous mat using eco-friendly, biocompatible and biodegradable material

Abstract

A novel blend of pectin/ chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)has been prepared as a nanofibrous scaffold for skin tissue engineering and wound healing applications. Pectin has been used as an eco-friendly, non-toxic and water-soluble polymer to improve nanofibre properties. Pectin as a poly-anion polymer, in combination with chitosan polycationic polymers, creates a cross-linked poly-electrolyte complex with biocompatible properties. The CS/PVA solutions containing various concentrations of pectin are electrospun to form a 3D pectin/ CS/ PVA nano fibrous scaffold. Mechanical and antibacterial properties of the nanofibrous scaffolds are evaluated by various instrumental techniques, such as Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared, Scanning Electron Microscopy, nitrogen content and Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Mechanical properties are found to be improved and the strong antibacterial activity of the pectin/CS/PVA nano fibrous scaffold is confirmed against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella and Candida albicans.