Title Fabrication and characterization of electrospun keratin mats with echinacea purpurea L. and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles
Authors Andziukevičiūtė-Jankūnienė, Akvilė ; Adomavičiūtė, Erika ; Gaidau, Carman ; Valeika, Virgilijus ; Balčiūnaitienė, Aistė ; Viškelis, Jonas ; Rapa, Maria ; Jankauskaitė, Virginija
DOI 10.3390/ijms26209919
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Is Part of International journal of molecular sciences.. Basel : MDPI. 2025, vol. 26, iss. 20, art. no. 9919, p. 1-22.. ISSN 1661-6596. eISSN 1422-0067
Keywords [eng] Echinacea purpurea L. ; silver nanoparticles ; green synthesis ; electrospinning ; wool keratin micro/nanofibers
Abstract [eng] This study presents the development of antibacterial electrospun nanofibrous mats composed of keratin and polyethylene oxide, incorporating Echinacea purpurea L. (EchP) and green-synthesized silver nanoparticles (bioAgNPs) produced using EchP extract. The successful synthesis of bioAgNPs was confirmed by colorimetric analysis, FTIR, XRD, and TEM. In vitro assays demonstrated antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria at ~0.6 µg/mL. Keratin, extracted from sheep wool, retained partial native structure, supporting biocompatibility and cellular regeneration. Incorporation of EchP or bioAgNPs reduced solution viscosity by 25–45%, significantly affecting mat morphology and shifting fiber diameters toward the 50–100 nm range. Quantitative phytochemical analysis, conducted via UV-Vis spectrophotometry, showed 2–3 times higher release of tannins and phenolic compounds compared to hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and flavonoids. Keratin electrospun mats with bioAgNPs exhibited about 1.5-fold lower polyphenol release, confirming the dual role of polyphenols as electron donors in Ag+ bioreduction and as stabilizers.
Published Basel : MDPI
Type Journal article
Language English
Publication date 2025
CC license CC license description