Chitosan-coated electrospun nanofibers with antibacterial activity

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Electrospinning is a versatile technique for creating polymer nanofibers.
• Surface modification of materials is crucial for developing advanced applications.
• Chitosan is a biocompatible and biodegradable polysaccharide with known antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop charged poly(ε-caprolactone) nanofibers.
• To deposit chitosan onto these charged nanofibers via electrostatic attraction.
• To evaluate the antibacterial activity of the resulting composite nanofibers.

Main Methods:

• Poly(ε-caprolactone) copolymer with carboxylic acid groups was electrospun.
• Nanofibers were treated in phosphate buffer to generate negative surface charges.
• Chitosan was deposited onto the charged nanofibers through electrostatic interactions.
• Fibers were characterized, and their antibacterial activity was assessed.

Main Results:

• Successfully prepared charged nanofibers by incorporating a copolymer.
• Demonstrated effective deposition of chitosan onto the nanofiber surface.
• Showcased the influence of copolymer architecture on chitosan coating.
• Confirmed antibacterial activity of the chitosan-coated nanofibers.

Conclusions:

• The developed method allows for the creation of functionalized nanofibers with tunable surface properties.
• Chitosan-coated nanofibers exhibit promising antibacterial properties.
• This approach offers a pathway for developing novel antimicrobial biomaterials.