ELECTROSPINNING BIODEGRADABLE NANOFIBER: AN INNOVATIVE METHOD FOR TOPICAL DELIVERY OF PHARMACEUTICAL

Electrospinning is an innovative technique for nanofibers production. It demands three key components (Figure 1): high-tension source, needle-type pump and a grounded collector, where the nanofibers are formed from a solvent-polymer mixture. Pharmaceutical application of nanofibers has huge potential. This work aimed the production of nanofibers of biodegradable polymers (Polyvinyl alcohol - PVA) loaded with green propolis raw extract (GPE) and chitosan (CS). Electrospinning formulations were prepared using PVA/CS 7/2 (p/v) in glacial acetic acid, and PVA/GPE 9/10, 90/9 ml (p/v) in water. Small parts of the engineered electrospinning nanofiber were assayed for antimicrobial activity using agar plates inoculated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus.aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and the inhibition halos were measured. Electrospinning was efficient for production of nanofibers loaded with CS and GPE. The products exhibited antimicrobial activity, linked to active concentration, highlighting its potential for use as wound dressings or topical drug delivery system.