Electrospinning of sodium alginate-pectin ultrafine fibers

In this study, we investigated the electrospinning process of sodium alginate-pectin fibers intended to be used as a carrier for stabilizing folic acid. Fiber-forming solutions containing 0.01% (w/w) folic acid were prepared by blending low- or medium-viscosity sodium alginate with pectin in a 70 : 30 ratio to form LSAP and MSAP solutions, respectively. Similar to other polysaccharide polymers reported previously, these solutions could not be electrospun. However, the incorporation of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) effectively enabled the electrospinning process. Electrospun fibers of different morphologies, ranging from fiber to fiber-bead, were obtained, depending on the blend ratio, concentration, and viscosity of the polymer-PEO solution used. Fibers electrospun from 3% MSAP/PEO (80%/20% w/w) had the smallest diameter (about 40 nm), whereas fibers containing higher PEO contents were larger in diameter. Bead-free fibers were formed when 4% LSAP/PEO (50/50) and 5% LSAP/PEO (80/20 to 50/50) were electrospun. The electrical conductivity and surface tension lowering effects of PEO on the polymer solution were likely the contributing factors for the observed electrospinning behaviors. By adjusting the formulation of the polymer solution, fibers of various morphologies may be obtained to suit different end-use applications. A study is currently ongoing to investigate the effectiveness of these fibers for stabilizing folic acid.