Tailoring of Gelatin-Chitosan Nanofibers Functionalized with Eucalyptus Essential Oil via Electroblowing for Potential Food Packaging and Wound Dressing Applications

Zeyne Elomar, Andinet Kumella Eticha, Nurcan Doğan, Yasin Akgul, Cemhan Doğan*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

In recent years, new approaches to fabricating nanofiber networks for potential applications in wound dressing and food packaging have been in the spotlight. This study aimed to produce functional webs based on gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil using the electro-blowing method instead of traditional spinning methods such as electrospinning. The resultant nanofiber webs exhibit promising morphological characteristics, including reduced fiber diameters, enhanced air permeability, and improved thermal stability. The integration of chitosan and eucalyptus essential oil overcomes limitations associated with gelatin, offering enhanced mechanical properties, antibacterial efficacy, and potential attributes for wound healing and food packaging. The combination of gelatin and chitosan contributes to biodegradability and biocompatibility, crucial for developing materials compatible with the natural environment. The addition of eucalyptus essential oil provides an additional layer of antimicrobial protection, aligning with sustainability goals in wound care and active food packaging. A comprehensive analysis encompassing SEM morphologies, fiber diameters, air permeability, FTIR spectra, TGA thermograms, and contact angle measurements establishes a thorough understanding of the fabricated nanofiber webs’ characteristics. Despite the favorable properties exhibited by the developed nanofiber webs for wound healing and food packaging applications, the incorporation of eucalyptus essential oil resulted in a reduction in tensile strength and elongation ratios. This observation highlights the necessity for further optimization and fine-tuning of the formulation to strike a balance between antimicrobial benefits and mechanical properties. Distinguished by its unique combination of gelatin, chitosan, and eucalyptus essential oil, this research contributes to the advancement of nanofiber technology, expanding knowledge in the field and paving the way for the development of advanced materials with enhanced therapeutic properties for wound healing and food packaging. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2457-2469
Number of pages13
JournalFibers and Polymers
Volume25
Issue number7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2024.

Keywords

  • Chitosan
  • Eucalyptus essential oil
  • Gelatin
  • Nanofiber webs

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