Adjustment of Wettability in Biomaterials: Evaluation of the Impact of Red Propolis Fractions on Electrospun Poly(ε-caprolactone)

Abstract

This study demonstrates the modulation of wettability in biomaterials through the incorporation of distinct fractions of red propolis into electrospun poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL). Chromatographic analysis revealed that the hydroalcoholic extract contains a significantly higher concentration of active compounds, particularly flavonoids, compared to the wax fraction. The electrospinning process yielded fibrous mats with average fiber diameters below 900 nm, maintaining uniform morphology regardless of the type or concentration of the additive, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Wettability assessments, performed via contact angle measurements and swelling tests, indicated that extract-containing samples exhibited increased hydrophilicity, with contact angles below 90° at concentrations of 10% or higher, while wax-containing formulations retained hydrophobic behavior. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed high cell viability across all formulations, indicating the absence of cytotoxic effects. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that the incorporation of different red propolis fractions modulates the structural and surface properties of electrospun PCL, supporting their potential for use in the development of customizable biomaterials for applications in tissue engineering and bioactive wound dressings.