Electrospun zein/C-phycocyanin composite: Simulation, characterization and therapeutic application

In the present study, a composite containing zein and C-phycocyanin (ZCPhy 20) was developed using an electrospinning process. The results represented that all fibers had tubular morphology with larger diameters by adding phycocyanin. Simulations provided information about the 3D structure of proteins in an acidic condition and under an applied voltage. Results demonstrated that proteins were denatured and unfolded by helix-to-coil transition. FTIR, Raman, XRD, and CD results were properly in accordance with findings obtained from simu-lation, confirming the structural changes of proteins after being electrospun. Moreover, thermostabilized ZCPhy 20 as the result of thermostable phycocyanin was gained from TGA thermograms. DPPH assay also indicated phycocyanin antioxidant activity in native and fibrous forms. Ultimately, worthy antibacterial activity and potent anti-cancer activity of ZCPhy 20 against HT-29 cells were observed. These findings elucidate the fabri-cation and characterization of ZCPhy 20 composite as a promising edible film with medical and nonmedical applications.

Automated summary

In this study, a composite material containing zein and C-phycocyanin (ZCPhy 20) was successfully developed using electrospinning. The addition of phycocyanin resulted in larger diameter tubular fibers. Simulation experiments provided insights into the structural changes of proteins in acidic conditions and under applied voltage. The results confirmed protein denaturation and unfolding through a helix-to-coil transition. Further characterization experiments, including FTIR, Raman, XRD, and CD, showed consistent findings with the simulations, confirming the structural changes of the proteins after electrospinning. Additionally, the thermostable ZCPhy 20, obtained from TGA thermograms, exhibited significant antioxidant activity in both native and fibrous forms, as evidenced by the DPPH assay. Lastly, ZCPhy 20 demonstrated remarkable antibacterial and anti-cancer activity against HT-29 cells. These findings highlight the potential of ZCPhy 20 composite as an edible film with medical and non-medical applications.