Electrospun nanofiber mats containing propolis extract and silver nanoparticles - manufacturing and characterization

Abstract

Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activity of propolis and its ability to stimulate the immune system and promote wound healing make it attractive component of products for topical application. Silver nanoparticles are recognized to demonstrate strong antiseptic and antimicrobial activity, thus it also could be considered in the development of products for topical use. Combination of propolis extracts and silver can result in new properties that could be of interest designing products for wound healing and care. The target of the study was to produce electrospun mats containing ethanolic propolis extract and silver nanoparticles, and to characterize the product. Electrospun mats were produc using roller rotating electrospinning equipment Nanospider™. Produced nanofiber mats were evaluated studying their structure, dissolution rate, release of propolis phenolic compounds and silver nanoparticles. The structure of electrospun mats was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer for investigation of composition of electrospun mats. Additionally FT-IR was applied for evaluation of solid phase structure in nanofibers. [...].