Cefixime‐Loaded Fibrous Composite of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Dextran for Pharmaceutical Applications

ABSTRACT Bacterial infections, including sepsis, pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide due to the risks of antibiotic resistance and treatment inefficacy associated with improper dosing. Cefixime, a broad‐spectrum antibiotic, can potentially treat various bacterial infections, but its clinical application is limited by rapid degradation and low solubility. This study aimed to fabricate and evaluate nanofibers containing cefixime through electrospinning of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and dextran emulsion for use in controlled drug delivery. The PVA‐dextran nanofiber matrix was synthesized using electrospinning, which enables fine‐tuned drug release by creating nanofibers with high surface area and porosity. Characterization of the nanofibers is performed using FT‐IR, XRD, and SEM to confirm drug encapsulation, and thermogravimetric analysis is utilized to assess thermal stability. Antibacterial studies are performed which show effective results in the form of inhibition zones. The zone of inhibition (ZOI) for E. coli was measured to be 3.0 ± 0.05 cm. Preliminary results indicate that cefixime‐loaded PVA/dextran nanofibers demonstrate enhanced drug stability up to 200°C, offering potential as an efficient delivery system that could minimize dosing frequency and potentially reduce antibiotic resistance development with a drug dose of 0.1 mg/mL of the solution used for synthesis. This study contributed to the advancement of nanofiber‐based drug delivery systems, offering a promising approach for localized and sustained antibiotic release.