Fabrication, Characterization, and Antibacterial Properties of Electrospun Membrane Composed of Gum Karaya, Polyvinyl Alcohol, and Silver Nanoparticles

Abstract

Gum karaya (GK), a natural hydrocolloid, was mixed with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) at different weight ratios and electrospun to produce PVA/GK nanofibers. An 80 : 20 PVA/GK ratio produced the most suitable nanofiber for further testing. Silver nanoparticles (Ag‐NPs) were synthesised through chemical reduction of AgNO 3 (at different concentrations) in the PVA/GK solution, the GK hydroxyl groups being oxidised to carbonyl groups, and Ag + cations reduced to metallic Ag‐NPs. These PVA/GK/Ag solutions were then electrospun to produce nanofiber membranes containing Ag‐NPs (Ag‐MEMs). Membrane morphology and other characteristics were analysed using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X‐ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and UV‐Vis and ATR‐FTIR spectroscopy. The antibacterial activity of the Ag‐NP solution and Ag‐MEM was then investigated against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus . Our results show that electrospun nanofiber membranes based on natural hydrocolloid, synthetic polymer, and Ag‐NPs have many potential uses in medical applications, food packaging, and water treatment.