Study on the Electrospinning of Gelatin/Pullulan Composite Nanofibers

Abstract

In this study, gelatin and pullulan were successfully prepared as a novel type of protein–polysaccharide composite nanofibrous membrane by electrospinning at room temperature with deionized water as the solvent. The effects of gelatin content on the properties of the solution, as well as the morphology of the resultant nanofibers, were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to observe the surface morphology. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to study the interaction between gelatin and pullulan. Incorporation of pullulan with gelatin will improve the spinnability of the mixed aqueous solution due to lower surface tension. Moreover, the conductivity of the solution had a greater effect on the fiber diameters, and the as-spun fibers became thinner as the viscosity and the surface tension increased due to the addition of the polyelectrolyte gelatin. Gelatin and pullulan formed hydrogen bonds, and the intermolecular hydrogen bonds increased while the intramolecular hydrogen bond decreased, which resulted in better mechanical properties. The electrospun gelatin/pullulan nanofibers could mimic both the structure and the composition of the extracellular matrix, and thus could be applied in tissue engineering.

Fast Dissolving Electrospun Nanofibers Fabricated from Jelly Fig Polysaccharide/Pullulan for Drug Delivery Applications

“…The results suggested that the JFP can form intermolecular hydrogen bonding with pullulan and improve the tensile strength. The improvement of tensile strength will help JFP/pullulan nanofiber retain good mechanical properties during storage [ 58 ].…”

Advanced Strategies for Tissue Engineering in Regenerative Medicine: A Biofabrication and Biopolymer Perspective

“…This can be achieved by either adjusting the polymer solution concentrations or through the manufacturing process. This can be seen in a study by Wang et al, whereby nanofibers were formulated through electrospinning comprised on gelatin and pullulan (a microbial polysaccharide) for consideration as a tissue engineering scaffold [ 39 ]. In this study, the effect of a change in gelatin content on the properties of the solution and the resultant nanofibers was investigated.…”

Pullulan for Advanced Sustainable Body- and Skin-Contact Applications

“…Wang and Ziegler [71] prepared electrospun nanofiber mats from aqueous starch-pullulan dispersions. Moreover, Wang et al [72,73] prepared electrospun gelatin/PUL fibers mimicking ECM. Hence, PUL was electrospun in combination with specific polymer, nanofillers, or compounds for obtaining functional nanostructured mats.…”