Facile single mode electrospinning way for fabrication of natural product based silver decorated polyurethane nanofibrous membranes: Prospective medicated bandages

In this study we have introduced for the first time a new class of bionanocomposite scaffold composed of virgin olive oil/poly(urethane) blend system decorated with silver nanoparticles via single mode electrospinning approach. Olive oil is a natural material that contains vitamin E, antioxidants and phenol that affect cytokine production by skin cells when applied topically and help in recovery process when skin damage occurs. Herein, we standardized optimal concentration (5%) of olive oil to get spinable solution for fabrication of oil blended nanofiberous membranes. The fabricated bionanocomposite membranes were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction pattern to study effect of olive oil on morphological and molecular behavior. The antimicrobial effects, viability and proliferation of as-spun bonanocomposite was studied using Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and NIH 3T3 fibroblasts as model strain and cell line respectively. The SEM-EDX and XRD results confirmed well oriented nanofibers and good dispersion of oil. The outcome of results also indicated that incorporation of olive oil in polymer media affected both the morphology and size of PU nanofiber membranes. The bionanocomposite was able to inhibit the growth of E. coli and revealed non-cytotoxic behavior towards the fibroblast cell culture. Thus the olive oil blended scaffold embedded with silver nanoparticles could be used as a prospective antimicrobial agent which can potentially reduce wound contamination and simultaneously help in wound healing process. Finally, our results clearly indicate the potential of designing bionanocomposite as medicated bandages for skin diseases, burns and damaged skin treatment. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.