Characteristics of pigment extract of green seaweed (Ulva lactuca Linn) encapsulated by electrospun poly(vinyl)alcohol nanofiber

Seaweed shows high potential applications in particularly related to its pigment compounds. In this study, the pigment extract from green seaweed ( Ulva lactuca Linn) were formulated in nanofiber composite with poly(vinyl)alcohol (PVA). PVA was chosen as a polymer matrix. The extract with the concentration of 750 ppm, 1000 ppm and 1250 ppm in 1 mL of total volume, were incorporated with 10% PVA by blending and dipping methods. The morphology and diameter of nanofiber mats were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), while the characteristic of functional groups of nanofiber mats were analyzed by fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectrophotometry. As the result, the prepared nanofibers were found to be uniform, non-beaded and non-woven with branched fiber morphology. The diameter of nanofiber which is prepared by blending method was ranging from 200-350 nm while by dipping method was ranging from 350 - 500 nm. Analysis of the functional group by FTIR found there is dominancy of a functional group of PVA in nanofiber mats. Loading seaweed pigment into nanofiber mats creating a novel material which can be used for biomedical application.