Electrospinning of Polycaprolactone (PCL)/Poly(Lactic Acid) (PLA)/Ferula Gummosa Boiss Extract (Galbanum)

Abstract

Electrospinning is one of the most efficient, cost effective and straightforward methods for fabricating nanofibers. Nanofibers with special characteristics such as high surface to mass (or volume) ratio and high porosity are best candidate for simulating the extracellular matrix structure. In this research, polycaprolactone (PCL), poly(lactic acid) (PLA), and F. gummosa extract were electrospun. Electrospinning was performed using solutions containing 10% PCL and 8% PLA and varying amount of F. gummosa extract. Extracts of F. gummosa with ratios of 15, 20, and 25% were added to the polymer solution and stirred for 1 h. The morphology changes of nanofibers were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The antibacterial properties of nanofibers were examined against a gram positive and gram negative bacteria. SEM results showed that average diameters of nanofibers without extract of F. gummosa and with extract were 497 ± 30 nm and around 642 ± 35 nm, respectively. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that extract of F. gummosa was loaded in nanofibers structure properly. Hydrophilicity of nanofibers was also examined by water contact angle measurements.