Development of Poly(l‑lactic acid)-Yellow\nPropolis Membranes for Antioxidant Applications

Propolis-based products, particularly those high in phenolic\ncompounds,\nare extensively utilized in pharmaceutical applications for their\nbroad therapeutic and health benefits. To improve the delivery and\nstability of these compounds, researchers are exploring biocompatible\nmaterials for encapsulating natural extracts. Polylactic acid (PLA)\nstands out as a promising biopolymer due to its biocompatibility,\nnontoxicity, exceptional biodegradability, and favorable mechanical\nproperties, making it well-suited for a range of medical and pharmaceutical\napplications. This study aimed to develop PLA-based membranes incorporating\nraw yellow propolis through electrospinning and to identify the maximum\nfeasible concentration of raw propolis that can be incorporated into\nPLA membranes. The chemical composition of the yellow propolis was\nanalyzed using chromatographic techniques coupled with a photodiode\narray detector and mass spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS), highlighting\nits rich array of phenolic compounds, which are known for their significant\nantioxidant properties. The membranes were thoroughly characterized\nwith Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron\nmicroscopy, confirming the successful incorporation of propolis into\nthe PLA membranes, particularly in the sample containing 25% propolis\n(w/w). Total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, and bioadhesion\nwere also evaluated. Results showed that the membrane with 25% propolis\n(w/w) exhibits skin-adhesive properties and huge antioxidant activity\ndue to its phenolic content. These findings suggest that the membrane\nhas strong potential for future biomedical applications, where antioxidant\nactivity is essential.