Blow Spinning Technique for Antioxidant Biocuratives from Gelatin–Curcumin-Based Nanofibers

Abstract

The blow-spinning technique was used as an alternative to electrospinning to obtain gelatin (Gel) nanofibers from Tilapia skins loaded with curcumin (Cur). The use of fish waste to extract Gel makes it possible to contribute to sustainable development by employing a low-cost technique to obtain biomaterials. In this way, the nanofibers obtained by the blow-spinning technique and the effect of adding Cur to these materials were evaluated by studying the viscosity of the spinning solutions and morphology, structure, mechanical, thermal and antioxidant properties, degree of crosslinking and swelling, porosity, in vitro release and cell viability of these materials. Regarding the results, the blow-spinning technique made it possible to obtain nanofibers with satisfactory diameters (323–350 nm) and adequate morphology. The addition of Cur resulted in less porous (69–78%), with better mechanical resistance (3.81–6.73 × 10⁻² N mm⁻²), more thermally stable and with lower degree of swelling nanofibers. These conditions favored the release of 75.77–99.98% of Cur. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of Cur improved its antioxidant properties, with values reaching up to 89.11%. Crosslinking occurred through possible electrostatic and hydrogen bond interactions between Cur and Gel molecules (values reached 93.90%). The nanofibers also exhibited good biocompatibility (cellular viability > 70%). Therefore, it was possible to suggest that the nanofibers obtained by blow spinning can be investigated as sustainable and promising alternatives in applications such as antioxidant biocuratives.

Graphical Abstract