Rutin-loaded cellulose acetate/poly(ethylene oxide) fiber membrane fabricated by electrospinning: A bioactive material

Considering its health benefits, rutin provides promising applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, the low bioavailability and low water solubility limit its application and remain to be resolved. In this study, cellulose acetate/poly(ethylene oxide) (CA/PEO) fiber was used as carrier for releasing it to relieve these problems. Bioactive fiber membrane was prepared by mixing it with CA/PEO solution. The surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, antioxidant activity, antibacterial, and drug release of the rutin-loaded fiber membranes were studied. And the characteristics of the membranes were evaluated by the molecular interaction, thermal stability and mechanical properties. The results reveal that the fiber membrane loaded with 1.2 wt% rutin exhibited antioxidant activity of 98.3% and antibacterial properties of 93.5% and 95.0% against E. coli. and S. aureus, respectively. Rutin release profiles were best fitted to Korsmeyer-Peppas model, and the fiber membrane released about 90% of rutin after 4 h. This indicates that rutin-loaded CA/PEO fiber membrane is a potential bioactive material.