Chitosan
and pectin are abundantly found biopolymers in nature
that are derived from renewable resources. On the other hand, the
chemical structure of these biopolymers creates problems during the
production of their nanofibrous films by the electrospinning technique.
In this study, the electrospinning of the chitosan/pectin blend system
was facilitated using natural, starch-derived cyclodextrin (hydroxypropyl-γ-cyclodextrin
(HPγCD)) molecules and nanofibrous films were generated with
a green approach in which there was no use of a carrier polymer or
toxic solvent. The nanofibrous films obtained with different chitosan/pectin
ratios showed high swelling (water uptake) property (∼1340
to 1510%), which suggested the hydrogel-forming capacity of these
electrospun films. Here, the HPγCD molecules were further utilized
and curcumin, a well-known bioactive compound, was encapsulated into
HPγCD cavities by inclusion complexation. This time, HPγCD–curcumin
inclusion complexes (ICs) were mixed with chitosan/pectin blends using
the predetermined ratios, and freestanding nanofibrous films were
successfully produced having an ∼89% curcumin loading efficiency.
The ultimate nanofibrous films demonstrated a pH-responsive release
profile of curcumin in pH 5.4 and 7.4 media besides their high swelling
feature. Briefly, chitosan/pectin/CD-IC nanofibrous films can be a
promising alternative to biomaterials produced with synthetic sources
by holding the unique properties of biopolymers, CD, and nanofibers.
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