Diffusion-Controlled Drug Release from Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) Fibers with Beaded Architecture: An...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Electrospinning (ES) is key for sustainable bio-based plastics, producing ultrathin fibers.
• The "beads-on-string" morphology in electrospun fibers, once overlooked, is now recognized for enhanced properties.
• Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and dipyridamole (DPD) were chosen as model biopolyester and drug, respectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the valorization of beaded fibers produced by electrospinning.
• To evaluate the impact of beading on drug diffusion and delivery performance.
• To understand how morphological parameters influence release kinetics for pharmaceutical applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of ultrathin PHB fibers with "beads-on-string" morphology using solution electrospinning.
• Characterization of fiber morphology (SEM), thermal properties (DSC), and structure (FTIR).
• Monitoring of drug release kinetics (UV-Vis spectroscopy) and computational modeling of diffusion in fiber domains.

Main Results:

• Morphological parameters of electrospun fibers significantly impact diffusion and release kinetics.
• Computational modeling of drug diffusion aligned well with experimental data.
• "Beads-on-string" architectures offer tunable drug release profiles.

Conclusions:

• The "beads-on-string" morphology in electrospun biopolymers can be exploited for controlled drug delivery.
• This approach allows for the design of materials with tunable absorption, mechanical performance, and release profiles.
• Controlled exploitation of these fibrous architectures supports the development of innovative pharmaceutical platforms using sustainable biopolymers.