Electrospun zein nanofibers as nanocarrier of vancomycin: Characterization, release and antibacterial properties

Protein-based carriers have several advantages over lipid, carbohydrate, synthetic polymers and inorganic colloidal carriers in terms of biodegradability, availability, high capacity of drug transplantation. Electrospinning is a process that uses electric fields to spin fibers with diameters ranging from hundreds to tens of nanometers. Zein is the major storage protein of maize. Vancomycin is a broad spectrum antibiotic that acts against gram-positive bacteria. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the properties of nano-fibrous membrane containing vancomycin antibiotics and to study release and antibacterial properties. Electrospinning method was used to prepare a polymer matrix of a zein nanofiber containing vancomycin antibiotic. The physical properties of the fibers, the method of drug release and the antimicrobial activity of vancomycin loaded fiber were investigated. The morphology of the nanofiber was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and the formation of uniform filamentary fibers was confirmed. The results of Fourier transform infrared indicated no interaction between zein and vancomycin. The DSC results indicated that vancomycin was physically in amorphous state. The results showed that after 168 h, about 55% of the loaded vancomycin on the fibers was released. A significant difference was observed between the rate of drug release at different times (p <0.05). There was also a decrease in the number of bacteria encountered with vancomycin loaded zein fibers compared to non-loaded zein fiber and control samples. Keywords: Nanofiber, Zein, Vancomycin, Electrospinning, Drug delivery