Quaternized chitosan/PVA/natural bioactive agent electrospun wound scaffolds: production, characterization, and investigation of release kinetics

Abstract

Quaternized chitosan (HTCC) was synthesized and characterized to increase chitosan solubility. Then HTCC was electrospun with poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and prepared natural bioactive agent ( Calendula officinalis ) extract was loaded onto fibers for wound scaffold applications. Morphological, structural, and mechanical characterization of the produced wound scaffolds was performed and their in vitro bioactive component release behavior was investigated. As a result, it was observed that the degree of quaternization of chitosan was 0.89, and synthesized HTCC was soluble in acidic, basic, alkaline media and could be electrospun with PVA in the presence of a natural bioactive agent. The presence of HTCC increased Young’s modulus and the tensile strength of the PVA scaffolds, while the presence of bioactive extract caused a decrease in Young’s modulus and an increase in tensile strength. Calendula officinalis is released in a controlled and slow manner from the scaffolds within approximately 55 h. The release behavior was consistent with the Higuchi kinetic model. In this study, the effect of PVA cooperator on HTCC nanofiber production in the presence of a bioactive component was investigated for the first time. HTCC and Calendula officinalis extract were also used together for the first time in the composition of a fiber scaffold. The mechanical properties and release kinetics of these scaffolds were also investigated for the first time. According to the results, it is thought that the wound scaffolds produced have the potential to be used as a new treatment tool, especially for chronic wounds.