Antibacterial bi-layered polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-chitosan blend nanofibrous mat loaded with Azadirachta indica (neem) extract

The present study suggests the formation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-Azadirachta indica (neem)-chitosan blend nanofibrous mat (PNCNM) by bi-layered technique under optimum processing conditions. The antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria, morphology, bonding behavior, thermal stability, tensile behavior and moisture management properties of the developed sample had been investigated. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed the homogeneous and smooth fibers produced having average diameter of 213.52 nm (nm) with the minimum and maximum diameter of 152 nm and 298 nm respectively. Besides, it showed 91% porosity which is indicative of porous structure. The presence of PVA, neem constituents and chitosan was established by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) indicating the formation of hydrogen bonding among them. The addition of neem extracts led to enhanced thermal stability and moisture management properties. In addition, the developed mat showed a tensile strength of 18.78 N corresponding to the elongation value of 4.98 mm. Besides, the incorporation of neem extract into the nanofiber mat exhibited a significant synergistic antibacterial activity against bacterial cells through the formation of inhibition zone. Thus, the newly developed nanofibrous mat could turn out to be a suitable material for the wound dressing purpose. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.