Biocompatibility and Antimicrobial Profile of Acid Usnic-Loaded Electrospun Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)—Magnetite Nanofibers

Abstract

The highest amount of the world’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is designated for fiber production (more than 60%) and food packaging (30%) and it is one of the major polluting polymers. Although there is a great interest in recycling PET-based materials, a large amount of unrecycled material is derived mostly from the food and textile industries. The aim of this study was to obtain and characterize nanostructured membranes with fibrillar consistency based on recycled PET and nanoparticles (Fe3O4@UA) using the electrospinning technique. The obtained fibers limit microbial colonization and the development of biofilms. Such fibers could significantly impact modern food packaging and the design of improved textile fibers with antimicrobial effects and good biocompatibility. In conclusion, this study suggests an alternative for PET recycling and further applies it in the development of antimicrobial biomaterials.