Living probiotics-loaded wound matrices prepared by microchip electrospinning

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Materials Science
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Live biotherapeutic products show promise for treating skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, acne, and chronic wounds.
• Effective encapsulation methods are crucial for maintaining probiotic viability in harsh environments.
• Existing methods require further innovation to integrate probiotics into functional delivery systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative microchip electrospinning technique for creating live biotherapeutic product delivery systems.
• To encapsulate viable probiotic bacteria within microcapsules and subsequently into electrospun fibers.
• To assess the functionality and antimicrobial activity of encapsulated probiotics for wound infection treatment.

Main Methods:

• Development of a microchip electrospinning system combining microfluidics and electrospinning.
• Encapsulation of probiotic bacteria into microcapsules within the electrospinning process.
• Characterization of probiotic presence and viability using confocal microscopy and fluorescent staining.
• Evaluation of antimicrobial activity via agar overlay assay against wound pathogens.

Main Results:

• Successful fabrication of hydrophobic fiber matrices containing viable, encapsulated probiotic bacteria.
• Confirmation of probiotic presence within fibers at an average concentration of 10^6 bacteria/cm^2.
• Demonstration that encapsulated probiotics retain antimicrobial functionality against wound pathogens.
• Evidence of two-way diffusion through fiber pores, supporting bacterial viability and substance exchange.

Conclusions:

• The developed microchip electrospinning technique effectively produces probiotic-loaded fiber matrices.
• These matrices maintain probiotic viability and antimicrobial activity, suitable for wound healing applications.
• The system shows potential as a novel drug delivery system for treating wound infections.