Pelargonium alchemilloides (L). L’herit Extract-loaded Electrospun Polyvinylpyrrolidone/Cellulose Acetate Blended Nanofibers and their Antimicrobial Activity

Introduction: There is a growing interest in plant extracts due to their natural origin and wide range of desirable features and benefits. These extracts are easily transferred to other media to explore their properties and usefulness using advanced technological approaches. Their encapsulation in a suitable polymer matrix and electrospinning can improve their bioavailability and maintain the required concentration release of bioactive compounds to the targeted medicinal site. Methods: In this study, plant species Pelargonium alchemilloides (L) L’herit (PA) leaf extract was incorporated into the polyvinylpyrrolidone/cellulose acetate (PVP/CA) polymer blended matrix and characterized for their morphology, fiber diameter distribution, and structural changes. The antibacterial sensitivity of the nanofibers was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using agar diffusion and microdilution methods. GC-MS spectra revealed the active polyphenolic compounds confirmed using the functional groups in the FTIR spectra and complimented by the qualitative tests for the presence of various classes of organic bioactive compounds. The FTIR spectra revealed the dominance of the functional groups such as C-H, C=O, and COOH due to their significant shifts in their wave numbers, which demonstrated the interaction and presence of extract in the polymer matrix. Results: The nanofibers' SEM images showed smooth, uniform nanofibers with diameters decreasing with a slight increase in leaf extract concentration (306 to 288 nm). The presence of PA extract in the fibers promoted the antibacterial activity of nanofibers, as proven in the in vitro antibacterial test (inhibition of bacterial growth). The 5 wt% PA nanofibers showed optimal antibacterial efficacy, pioneering plant extract-based PVP/CA nanofiber mats with antibacterial activity. Conclusion: The present work, thus, proves that the electrospinning technique is an effective strategy for the formation of antibacterial fibers for the biomedicine, pharmacy, and food industries.