A Comparative Study on the Spinnability of Collagen/Pullulan Nanofibers Dissolved in Water as a Green Solvent Using Needle vs. Needle-Free Electrospinning Techniques

This study investigates electrospinning methodologies using distilled water as an environmentally friendly and non-toxic solvent for fabricating nanofibers composed of fish collagen (COL) and pullulan (PUL). The underlying hypothesis is that incorporating PUL will enhance the spinnability of the electrospun solution through the formation of hydrogen bonds with COL, thereby facilitating improved fiber development within an aqueous system. This study examined the interactions between COL and PUL molecules, focusing on hydrogen bonding and the consequential alterations in secondary structural conformation, to elucidate their effects on the spinnability and stability of COL in water-based solutions. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the advantages of needle-free electrospinning, which enables the efficient production of nanofibers and offers scalability potential for industrial applications. The architecture and properties of the resultant ultra-thin COL/PUL fibers were comprehensively characterized, underscoring their suitability for various biomedical applications. The development of PUL-based skin nanofibers represents a significant advancement in the field of biomaterials, offering a biocompatible and biodegradable alternative for dermatological applications, including skin regeneration, wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, and cosmetic science. The benefits of needle-free electrospinning, such as enhanced production efficiency and scalability, are particularly emphasized, demonstrating its potential for the large-scale commercial manufacturing of biocompatible nanofibers. This study aimed to address the research gap regarding the use of distilled water as an eco-friendly and safe solvent for electrospinning nanofibers made from collagen and pullulan. This study aimed to investigate the unexplored potential of distilled water for this application.