Fabrication of gelatin–chitosan–gum tragacanth with thermal annealing cross-linking strategy

Abstract

Polymer blending is a promising method to provide nanofibers with improved properties and minimal defects. Recently, gelatin-chitosan-based nanofibers have attracted great attention due to their biocompatible properties which have made them a great candidate for biomedical applications. However, current methods for fabricating gelatin–chitosan nanofibers require the use of corrosive and toxic solvents and cross-linking agents. In the present research, gum tragacanth followed by thermal annealing is employed to improve the properties of nanofibers. The morphology of the electrospun blend nanofibers was characterized using a scanning electron microscope, while the miscibility and thermal behavior of the blends were determined using a Fourier transform-infrared spectrometer/attenuated total reflectance. The optimum results were achieved in blend gelatin–chitosan–gum tragacanth in the ratio 7:3:1, which resulted in nanofibers with a mean diameter of 115.8 ± 10.66 nm. Antibacterial tests were conducted against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacteria. Biodegradability of blend nanofibers was also investigated. It is proved that thermal annealing in presence of gum tragacanth could be a suitable candidate for the stability of nanofibers followed by omitting toxic cross-linkers.