Pectin-reinforced electrospun nanofibers: Fabrication and characterization of highly biocompatible mats for wound healing applications

Utilizing naturally occurring substances (e.g. natural polysaccharides) to improve the biological properties of tissue-engineered (TE) constructs is among the most promising strategies in regenerative medicine. We here report the successful synthesis of a series of electrospun nanofibers reinforced with pectin. The composition of the scaffolds was designed as gelatin (GEL)-poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL)/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-Pectin. The nanofibrous composites exhibited a smooth surface with fibers' diameters ranging between 315 and 431 nm. The incorporation of pectin led to improvements in hydrophilicity, degradability (41.2 ± 4.2%), and water uptake (241.7 ± 58.9%). Moreover, the highest Young's modulus (2.8 ± 0.6 MPa) was recorded for PCL/Gel-PVA/Pec electrospun nanofibers. Adding pectin into the polymeric substrates resulted in enhanced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative species. The inhibitory effect of c-PCL/GEL-PVA/Pec mats on S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was 8.4% and 22.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the PCL/GEL-PVA/Pec electrospun mats exhibited excellent blood and cell compatibility and stimulated cell migration in vitro. In conclusion, pectin can be easily mixed with biopolymers for the preparation of three-dimensional (3D) electrospun nanofibers. Regarding their mechanical and biological performance, the electrospun composites could be potentially used as wound dressings (for improved wound healing and) successfully prevention and management of wound infection.