The properties of amyloid fibrils, e.g., unique structural characteristics and superior biocompatibility, make them a promising vehicle for drug delivery. Here, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and whey protein isolate amyloid fibril (WPI-AF) were used to synthesize amyloid-based hybrid membranes as vehicles for the delivery of cationic and hydrophobic drugs (e.g., methylene blue (MB) and riboflavin (RF)). The CMC/WPI-AF membranes were synthesized via chemical crosslinking coupled with phase inversion. The zeta potential and scanning electron microscopy results revealed a negative charge and a pleated surface microstructure with a high content of WPI-AF. FTIR analysis showed that the CMC and WPI-AF were cross-linked via glutaraldehyde and the interacting forces between membrane and MB or RF was found to be electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding, respectively. Next, the in vitro drug release from membranes was monitored using UV-vis spectrophotometry. Additionally, two empirical models were used to analyze the drug release data and relevant rate constant and parameters were determined accordingly. Moreover, our results indicated that in vitro drug release rates depended on the drug–matrix interactions and transport mechanism, which could be controlled by altering the WPI-AF content in membrane. This research provides an excellent example of utilizing two-dimensional amyloid-based materials for drug delivery.

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N-(2-hydroxy) propyl-3-trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) is a type of quaternary ammonium chitosan derivative with an antibacterial activity superior to the pristine chitosan, but its electrospinnability is limited. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was blended with HTCC to improve the electrospinnability of nanofibers. The electrospinning of PVA–HTCC nanofiber membranes was optimized in terms of structural stability and antimicrobial performance. Based on scanning electron microscopic analysis, the morphology and diameter of the produced nanofibers were influenced by the applied voltage, flow rate of the feed solution, and weight ratio of the polymer blend. An increase in the HTCC content decreased the average nanofiber diameter. The maximum water solubility of the PVA–HTCC nanofibers reached the maximum value of 70.92% at 12 h and 25 °C. The antibacterial activity of PVA–HTCC nanofiber membranes against Escherichia coli was ~90%, which is significantly higher than that of PVA–chitosan nanofiber membrane. Moreover, the antibacterial efficiency of PVA–HTCC nanofiber membranes remained unaffected after 5 cycles of antibacterial treatment. The good antibacterial performance and biocompatibility of PVA–HTCC nanofiber membrane makes them attractive for biomedical and biochemical applications that necessitate sterile conditions.

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