Production and characterization of electro-blown nanofibers incorporated with pine pollen for fast-dissolving applications

This study aims to harness the rapid dissolution capability of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), a versatile and biocompatible polymer, in conjunction with pine pollen, a natural substance rich in antioxidants and offering nutrient-dense advantages for overall health and vitality, for the development of fast-dissolving tablet applications. Employing the electro-blown spinning method, PVP nanofibers were fabricated with pine pollen dust sourced from male pine cones. Through electro-blown spinning (EBS), Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanofibrous mats were produced with varying concentrations of Pine pollen (PP) (1,3 and 5 %). Analyses were conducted to assess the characteristics of the produced nanofibers, including morphology, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and surface wettability. Antioxidant tests and α-glycosidase inhibition activity tests were performed to explore the health benefits of nanofibrous mats. The water solubility of PVP, PVP/1 PP, PVP/3 PP, and PVP/5 PP was measured to be 6.97, 4.74, 3.03, and 6.67 s, respectively. The antioxidant properties and α-glycosidase inhibition activity were preserved in the developed fibers. Notably, the α-glycosidase inhibition activity test demonstrated promising results, suggesting the potential of these fibers in regulating glucose absorption and enhancing glycemic control, highlighting their prospective benefits in diabetes management.