Development and Characterization of Electrospun Nanostructures Using Polyethylene Oxide: Potential Means for Incorporation of Bioactive Compounds

Abstract

The development of processes for stabilization of the properties of bioactive compounds has been studied in recent years, and the use of nanotechnology is among the most discussed routes. The present work addressed the assembly of nanostructures using polyethylene oxide (PEO), the production of core-shell nanofibers (NFs) with bioactive compounds, and the evaluation of their microscopic and physical characteristics. Aqueous solutions of PEO were electrospun by varying different process and solution parameters (PEO and NaCl concentrations, feeding rate, the tip-to-collector distance (TCD), and applied voltage) in order to optimize production of nanostructures. The best condition obtained was evaluated to form core-shell NFs composed by jussara pulp as a source of anthocyanins. To assess the production of NFs with PEO and jussara pulp, feed solutions were prepared in acetate buffer (pH 4.5) with 6% PEO and 10% lyophilized jussara pulp, at a feeding rate of 150 μL·h−1 and TCD of 15 cm using an applied voltage of 10 kV to form core-shell NFs. The results revealed the formation of core-shell NFs with a diameter of 126.5 ± 50.0 nm. The outcomes achieved represent a crucial step in the application of anthocyanins in food systems as pigments, establishing a basis for further research on the incorporation of nanomaterials into foodstuff.

Uniaxial and Coaxial Electrospinning for Tailoring Jussara Pulp Nanofibers

“…However, the coaxial method allowed a greater amount of jussara pulp to be maintained to these structures. This is perceived as a positive feature in the present findings, taken that an increased availability of the compounds presents in the pulp for absorption by the gastrointestinal tract is obtained through a system that produces structures with higher stability and requires fewer handling steps—eliminating, for example, the stirring time necessary to produce the solutions for the uniaxial process, which can affect the pulp due to oxidation, light and temperature—and thus reducing possible issues related to degradation of bioactive compounds [ 7 , 21 ].…”

“…Morphological structures of the NFs are shown in Figure 1 . The working parameters employed herein were based on previous work [ 21 ].…”

“…PEO and NaCl concentrations used herein ranged from 6.0 to 8.0% ( w / v ) and 0.0 to 2.5% ( w / v ), respectively. The samples were homogenized in a magnetic stirrer and further used in the electrospinning process [ 21 ].…”

“…The solutions were introduced in a 5 mL plastic syringe using a steel needle of 0.6 mm diameter under a flow rate of 3000 µL·h −1 . Voltage and tip-to-collector distance (TCD) were fixed at 24 kV and 10 cm, respectively [ 21 ]. The samples were gathered from the collector, an anodized aluminum plate, at controlled room temperature (20–25 °C) and relative humidity (50–60%).…”

“…In contrast, in the coaxial configuration, the polymer solution and the compound are expelled simultaneously from two different needles. The polymer represents the outer shell of the NF, and the compound is placed in the core portion of the structure [ 7 , 21 , 22 ]. Both setups have their own advantages and drawbacks with respect to one another: the coaxial configuration permits a greater control of the flow system, while the uniaxial technique is simpler to operate.…”