Development and Characterization of Pectin/PVA and PLA Composite Nanofibers for Controlled Curcumin Release and Antibacterial Applications

Abstract

This study investigates the preparation and characterization of pectin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polylactic acid (PLA) composite nanofibers for controlled curcumin release and antibacterial applications. Pectin was oxidized using hydrogen peroxide, and its structural modifications were analyzed via Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing significant changes in hydroxyl (OH) and carbonyl (C=O) groups. The electrospinning process produced nanofibers from 10% w/v pectin and 10% w/v PVA solutions. The addition of curcumin (1% w/v) influenced fiber morphology, with diameters decreasing in the pectin/PVA-curcumin fibers. The PLA solution was prepared by dissolving 9% w/v PLA in dichloromethane (DCM) and electrospun at a flow rate of 15 mL/h and 14 kV. The release kinetics of curcumin from the PLA-pectin fibers were studied in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 7.4) at 37 °C, with cumulative release data fitted to various models. The Higuchi model best described the release from the sandwich method nanofibers, while the zero-order model was most suitable for the Donazelle method. Antibacterial assays demonstrated larger inhibition zones against Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli ATCC 8739) compared to Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538), indicating a significant antibacterial effect of the PLA-pectin-PVA-curcumin fibers. These findings highlight the potential of the developed nanofibers for applications in controlled drug delivery systems and antibacterial materials.