Electrospun Nanofibrous Hybrids of Algae, Salicylic acid and Zinc oxide Nanoparticles for an Antibacterial Application

Abstract

Antibacterial composite membranes were fabricated in this study through the utilization of the electrospinning technique, with the intention of employing it as a skin mask. The membranes, comprising polycaprolactone and gelatin, were used to provide mechanical support with bioactivity for the membranes. Salicylic acid was used in combination with algae and zinc oxide nanoparticles as ingredients for these membranes. The physical and chemical characteristics of the membranes were assessed and it was revealed that the membranes exhibited nanofibrous structure. Zinc oxide nanoparticles, salicylic acid and the microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum were integrated into a nanofibrous structure for the first time. In addition, the biodegradation quantity, salicylic acid release and zinc ion release profiles of the membranes showed their potential as antibacterial membranes. Moreover, there was no observed growth of E. coli and S. aureus on the membranes’ surface during the antibacterial studies. Overall, the findings from the study demonstrated that these electrospun membranes possess potential as skin masks due to their antibacterial properties.