Spirulina Biomass-Loaded Thermoplastic Polyurethane/Polycaprolacton (TPU/PCL) Nanofibrous Mats: Fabrication, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity as Potential Wound Healing

Abstract

The development of antibacterial products with therapeutic properties has become a popular human health trend. Herein, for the first time, we described an effective antibacterial thermoplastic polyurethane/polycaprolacton (TPU/PCL) composite nanofibers loaded with the spirulina biomass by electrospinning method for wound care applications. The chemical, microstructural, mechanical, wettability properties and antibacterial activities of produced electrospun TPU/PCL/spirulina fibers with varied spirulina concentrations (1, 3, and 5 %, w/v to polymer solution) were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-VIS Spectroscopy, optical tensiometer and tensile testing machine. The SEM micrographs revealed that all resultant fibers have an average fiber diameter of 228-312 nm and a significant porosity (86-90 %). FT-IR spectrum pointed out no chemical bonding between spirulina and polymer matrixes. Increasing the spirulina content caused an increased swelling capacity of the nanofibers. Furthermore, TPU/PCL/spirulina samples indicated superhydrophilic property with contact angle values almost 36 degrees, 0 degrees, and 0 degrees, respectively. The resultant TPU/PCL/spirulina fibers, released 36.89 ppm, 59.4 ppm, and 209.1 ppm of the spirulina after 8 hours, respectively and showing the effect of interactions between the TPU/PCL matrix and the spirulina on its release of the TPU/PCL matrix. Fluid absorption value have increased as incorporation of spirulina into the polymer matrix. All TPU/PCL/spirulina fibers and spirulina have antibacterial efficiency against E.colibacteria.TPU/PCL nanofiber with the highest amount of spirulina (5 %) has the highest tensile strength with 3.89 +/- 0.19 MPa.The electrospun TPU/PCL/spirulina nanofibers appear to be a potential candidate material for tissue engineering and wound care applications, based on our results.