Poly (Lactic Acid) Electrospun fibers added with Rumex hymenosepalus extract: preparation and characterization.

Abstract

In this work Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) electrospun fibers added with Rumex hymenosepalus extract were prepared and characterized. A morphologic characterization study gave support to choose the parameters that allow the obtention of uniform fibers, within the parameters that was studied were rate flow varied from 0.8-2.0 mL/h and voltage variation between 15-20 kV. The morphology of the electrospun nanofibers was examined by scanning electron microcopy, statistical study was made to identify the fibers diameters obtained with parameter modification. Since PLA is well known as hydrophobic material, an alkaline hydrolysis was performed to improve the interaction sites of the electrospun fiber and R. hymenosepalus extract. FTIR-ATR study was performed to evaluate the behavior of the PLA electrospun fibers and PLA hydrolyzed electrospun fibers and it´s interaction with the R. hymenosepalus extract. Antioxidant release study was carried out using UV-Vis spectroscopy and with this evaluation was determined that the alkaline treatment help to control the Rh release rate. The obtained results let the electrospun fibers of PLA-Rh were considered useful for antioxidant release applications like wound dressings.