Fabrication and characterization of dextran/zein hybrid electrospun fibers with tailored properties for controlled release of curcumin

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the use of biopolymer electrospun nanofibers for various food applications due to the biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high loading capacity. Herein, we fabricated and characterized novel hybrid electrospun fibers from dextran (50%, w/v) and zein (0-30%, w/v) solutions, and the effects of various zein concentrations on the properties of the hybrid electrospun fibers were investigated. RESULTS: When zein was added at low concentrations (5% and 10%), dextran and zein showed poor miscibility, as reflected by significantly decreased viscosity of the solutions, and the poor mechanical properties of the derived fiber membranes. When zein was added at medium concentrations (15-25%), hydrogen bonds were formed between dextran and zein molecules, as indicated by the red shift of Fourier-transform infrared bands and ⊎-sheet to ⊍-helix structural transformations. The fiber membranes electrospun from a solution with 25% zein showed the most hydrophobic surface, with a water contact angle of 116.9°. The homogenous dispersion of dextran and zein resulted in improved mechanical properties for fibers electrospun from a solution with 30% zein. Curcumin encapsulating dextran/zein electrospun fibers exhibited effective radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing power, along with the desired controlled release behavior for curcumin delivery.CONCLUSION: Food grade dextran/zein hybrid electrospun fibers demonstrated tunable properties, and appear to be promising as delivery systems for bioactive and edible antimicrobial food packaging.

Nitric Oxide-Releasing Nanofibrous Scaffolds Based on Silk Fibroin and Zein with Enhanced Biodegradability and Antibacterial Properties

“…SF–ZN and SF–ZN–GSNO fibers displayed significantly reduced fiber diameters of 491.5 ± 129.5 and 527.8 ± 119.5 nm ( p < 0.001), respectively. Consistent with the results of other studies, the same effect has been seen previously, where the addition of ZN to polymeric electrospinning solutions such as polyvinyl alcohol, dextran, and gelatin caused a drop in the viscosity, favoring the formation of fibers with smaller diameters. In fact, thinner fibers with diameters in the nanoscale are desired for scaffold-related applications due to their enhanced cellular responses and closer similarity to the nanofibrous structure of the native ECM. , Therefore, SF–ZN–GSNO fibers can provide an ideal substrate for tissue growth and regeneration.…”

Recent Progress of Electrospun Herbal Medicine Nanofibers

“…It is easy to obtain and inexpensive, and easy to configure the solution because it is soluble in water and some organic solvents. Luo et al [227] prepared dextran/corn protein/curcumin hybrid electrospun fibers. When the ratio was 50% dextran and 30% corn protein in acetic acid mixed solution, the fiber membrane showed adjustable wettability and mechanical properties.…”

Green electrospinning for safe food engineering

“…Dextran is water soluble, biocompatible, and biodegradable and has been applied in the field of food engineering. For example, electrospun fiber films based on dextran are used for antioxidant activity packaging 41 , edible antibacterial food packaging 42,43 and functional food 44,45 .…”