Novel Inulin Electrospun Composite Nanofibers: Prebiotic and Antibacterial Activities

Abstract

Inspired by the rampant digestive disorders and the vast bacterial infections, this study aimed at fabricating nanofibers made of inulin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite nanofibers (CNFs) using the electrospinning technique and testing their prebiotic and antibacterial activities. The inulin/PVA CNFs were tested for prebiotic activity with Lactobacillus species while Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were used to assess the antibacterial potentiality. During the fabrication of the CNFs, different electrospinning parameters have been carefully controlled, in order to produce nanofibers with relatively uniform diameter, fewer beads, and high integrity. The different parameters included variable solution concentration (material ratio varied from 14 to 20 wt %), applied voltage (varied from 15 to 25 kV), and solution flow (ranged between 0.005 and 0.5 mL/min). The chemical characteristics, thermal stability, and morphology of the formed CNFs were comprehensively characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. Selected CNFs, showing the best diameter uniformity and integrity, were tested for the prebiotic and antimicrobial activity. A 38% increase in prebiotic activity of CNFs, compared to their bulk solution, was observed. The antibacterial activity of the selected CNFs was enhanced, from ∼40% (pure inulin) to 70% (inulin/PVA CNFs) against E. coli and 45% against S. aureus. This study investigates the prebiotic and antibacterial activities of PVA/inulin CNFs and provides the foundation for inulin/PVA CNF use in the healthcare sector, as in disinfectants and/or digestive disorders.

Optimization of the Synthesis of Natural Polymeric Nanoparticles of Inulin Loaded with Quercetin: Characterization and Cytotoxicity Effect

“…The high thermal stability of inulin and quercetin has been reported. For example, Wahbi [ 49 ], analyzed the thermal behavior of an inulin extract that started to decompose at ≈235 °C [ 49 ], and of raw inulin at 215 °C [ 50 ]. On the other hand, the reported thermal degradation of quercetin was observed between 245 and 390 °C [ 36 ], which is similar to the results obtained in the present project ( Figure 8 ).…”

“…On the other hand, the reported thermal degradation of quercetin was observed between 245 and 390 °C [ 36 ], which is similar to the results obtained in the present project ( Figure 8 ). The observed higher temperatures range of NQs could be due to the physical and chemical interactions created between both inulin and quercetin [ 49 ]. No thermal data were found in the literature to directly compare the thermal behavior of NBs and NQs.…”

Nanomaterials-Based Combinatorial Therapy as a Strategy to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

“…It has been shown that they significantly improved the activities against S. aureus biofilms and greatly inhibited their formation [ 59 ]. Wahbi et al demonstrated that composite nanofibers (CNF) of inulin/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) had an increased antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus [ 60 ]. Finally, a probiotic nanocomposite film based on carboxymethylcellulose (containing cellulose nanofiber) and inulin was developed.…”

Immobilized Bacterial Cells on Electrospun Nanofibers for Crude Oil Spills Treatment and Bioremediation

“…[50,51] Varying these parameters, especially the voltage and feed rate, would result in differences in morphologies. [49,50] Voltage control impacts the nanofiber diameter, restriction of beading, and size distribution. Low voltage is often associated with highly beaded fibers of large diameters while an increase in voltage results in proper sequestration of polymer into narrow size distribution in the low-size region.…”

“…Additionally, ambient parameters, humidity, and temperature of the electrospinner play a significant role in the resulting nanofibers [50,51] . Varying these parameters, especially the voltage and feed rate, would result in differences in morphologies [49,50] . Voltage control impacts the nanofiber diameter, restriction of beading, and size distribution.…”