Preparation and characterization of silk fibroin/polyethylene oxide nanofiber membranes with antibacterial activity

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Materials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Bacterial infections pose a significant threat to human health.
• Antibiotic overuse leads to increasing bacterial resistance, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
• Controlled antibiotic delivery systems are crucial for effective treatment and mitigating resistance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop silk fibroin (SF)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofiber membranes for controlled, slow release of antibiotics.
• To investigate the effect of varying SF and PEO proportions on membrane properties.
• To evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of gentamicin sulfate (GS)-loaded SF/PEO membranes.

Main Methods:

• Electrospinning of SF/PEO solutions using ethanol as an eco-friendly solvent.
• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology analysis.
• Mechanical testing, thermal stability, and hydrophilicity assessments.
• Loading of gentamicin sulfate (GS) and in vitro release studies.
• Antibacterial activity testing against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli.

Main Results:

• SF/PEO nanofiber membranes with varying ratios were successfully fabricated.
• SF/PEO (3:7) membranes exhibited enhanced thermal stability, hydrophilicity, and superior mechanical properties (4.6 ± 0.24 MPa stress, 16.36 ± 0.41% strain).
• The fabricated (GS)/SF/PEO (3:7) nanofiber membrane demonstrated effective gentamicin sulfate release and significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli.

Conclusions:

• SF/PEO nanofiber membranes, particularly the (3:7) ratio, are promising for developing advanced antibacterial materials.
• The developed GS/SF/PEO nanofiber membranes show potential for slow antibiotic release, aiding in the fight against bacterial infections and resistance.
• This study highlights the potential of tailored nanofiber composites for effective antimicrobial applications.