Fabrication of Antibacterial Poly(vinyl alcohol) Microfibers Mat for Wound Dressing Application

The bed of an open wound is prone to infection because of good conditions for microorganisms to grow in a moist, warm and nutritious environment. Using an antibacterial wound dressing, the healing of the wound can be accelerated. Antibacterial properties of natural dyes have been studied by researchers in recent years. On the other hand, the efficiency of fine fibers in wound dressing has been demonstrated due to increasing its contact area with the skin and simulation of extracellular matrix. In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) microfibers were fabricated by electrospinning process and heat treatment was used to increase the stability of microfibers against aqueous solutions. It is notable to say that untreated PVA microfibers dissolve in aqueous solutions easily. XRD spectrum was used for structural characterization of PVA microfibers after heat treatment. The results showed an increase in the crystallinity of the microfibers after heat treatment. Antibacterial properties of some natural dyes (green walnut shells, Punicagranatum, Urticadioica) were investigated by dipping PVA microfibers in the natural dyes solutions extracted by different solvents such as water and ethanol. In the end, the antibacterial property of PVA microfibers dipped in Punicagranatum extract solution for both pathogenic strains of gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) was demonstrated. PVA microfibers dipped in aqueous solution of Punicagranatum showed stronger antibacterial property than those dipped in ethanolic Punicagranatum extract solution. The SEM images indicated that morphology of PVA microfibers preserved after dipping in the natural dyes solution extracted by water and ethanol, confirming stability of PVA microfibers after heat treatment.