Fabrication of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Chitosan/Bidens pilosa Composite Electrospun Nanofibers with Enhanced Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Due to the current challenges faced by the increasing rate of drug-resistant bacteria, attention is gradually shifting from synthetic antimicrobial chemical compounds to natural products that are ecofriendly with a wide spectrum of properties. The aim of this research was to successfully fabricate electrospun nanofibers from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), PVA blended with Bidens pilosa and chitosan composite blends and investigate their potential antibacterial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus . Fabrication of nanofibers was performed by the electrospinning technique, which applies high voltage on the polymer, forcing it to spin off as a jet onto a plate collector. Characterization of the nanofibers was successfully performed by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Antibacterial assessment was carried out by colony forming unit enumeration. The results obtained revealed a 12% increase in growth inhibition of bacteria in composite nanofibers as compared with their parental forms, which were >91 and 79%, respectively. Chitosan nanofibers have been extensively researched, and their antibacterial properties have been studied. However B. pilosa antibacterial properties in a nanofiber form have not been previously reported. These composite nanofibers open new avenues toward using natural materials as potent antibacterial agents.

Antimicrobial and Wound Healing Properties of FeO Fabricated Chitosan/PVA Nanocomposite Sponge

“…In the case of CS and CS/PVA-PD-FeO NPs (0.01%), treated samples were not observed to have half of the minimum inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ). Several studies reported that chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol showed substantial cell proliferation and a biocompatible nature, which suggests the existence of primary hydroxyl, acetyl, and amine functionalities and its ratio [ 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Further, AO/EB fluorescence staining showed a greater number of viable cells in various samples treatment, but in PD-FeO NPs alone, treatment showed fewer apoptotic cells ( Figure 10 ).…”

Application of Electrospinning in Antibacterial Field

“…Electrospinning chitosan with synthetic polymers such as PEO and PVA is the simplest and most effective way to obtain chitosan nanofibers as these polymers can improve the performance of the nanofibers in the process of electrospinning [ 110 , 111 ]. Kegere et al mixed chitosan and Bidens bipinnata extract (EXT) into a PVA solution [ 112 ]. However, during the electrospinning process they found that the nanofibers were broken, beaded, and ribbon-shaped.…”

Fabrication of Hybrid Nanofibers from Biopolymers and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol)/Poly (ε-Caprolactone) for Wound Dressing Applications

“…The in vitro antimicrobial studies showed pristine chitosan–PVA nanofibers inhibited 75.9 and 86% growth of E. coli and S. aureus , respectively. In contrast, Bidens pilosa -loaded nanofibers inhibited 91% growth of S. aureus , indicating that the presence of Bidens pilosa enhanced the antibacterial effects of the nanofibers [ 86 ]. Levengood et al developed chitosan–PVA nanofibers for skin regeneration application.…”