Abstract

EFFECT OF POLYMER CONCENTRATION AND BLEND RATIO ON THE MORPHOLOGY AND WOUND HEALING EFFICIENCY OF ELECTROSPUN PULLULAN/PVA NANOFIBERS

Manivannan M., Amutha R.*

Abstract

Electrospinning was used to produce nanofibers made of pullulan/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) from their aqueous solutions. The study examined whether varying polymer concentrations and mix ratios affect the morphology and properties of pullulan/PVA nanofibers. The total polymer concentrations were also varied at a given blend ratio to determine the best electrospinning conditions for producing uniform and bead-free nanofibers. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to characterise the nanofibers. The mechanical qualities were also investigated using tensile strength testing. A 10% total polymer concentration produced uniform and bead-free pullulan/PVA nanofibers with greater mechanical and thermal properties. In vitro assay was performed to access the wound healing. Pullulan/PVA shows wound healing factors in fibroblast cell line (L929). Pullulan/PVA/Gentamicin according to the wound dressing 10% is the most efficient achieving 90% after 5 h of use while maintaining an approximate 70% absorption rate.

Keywords: Electrospinning, Wound dressing, Poly (vinyl Alcohol), Pullulan, Drug delivery.