Electrospun Chitosan/Polyethylene Oxide Nanofibrous Scaffolds with Potential Antibacterial Wound Dressing Applications

Abstract

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique for the fabrication of nonwoven fibrous materials for biomedical applications. In the present study, chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibrous scaffolds were successfully prepared using three different CS/PEO mass ratios and then evaluated for their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. Scaffold morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy, which showed decreasing fiber diameters with increasing CS content. Higher CS concentrations also correlated with increased tensile strength and decreased elasticity of the scaffold. Degradation studies demonstrated that PEO was solubilized from the scaffold within the first six hours, followed by CS. This profile was unaffected by changes in the CS/PEO ratio or the pH of the media. Only the 2 : 1 CS/PEO scaffold demonstrated superior inhibition of both growth and attachment of Staphylococcus aureus. Finally, all scaffolds exhibited little impact on the proliferation of murine fibroblast monolayers. These data demonstrate that the 2 : 1 CS/PEO scaffold is a promising candidate for wound dressing applications due to its excellent antibacterial characteristics and biocompatibility.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2016
Source ID
10.1155/2016/6231040

Entities

People

  • Angela R. Jockheck-clark
  • Ann Marie DiGeorge Foushee
  • Jonathan M. Stahl
  • Phillip M. Jenkins
  • Tony T. Yuan

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center
  • Naval Medical Research Unit—San Antonio
  • Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
  • University of Texas at San Antonio

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Nanocomposite Materials Science
  • Reinforced Composite Materials
  • Trauma Surgery or Emergency Medicine.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Microelectronics