Antimicrobial Performance of Electrospun Starch/Polycaprolactone Nanofibres Incorporated with Essential-Oil

This study aims to replace toxic and hazardous nanoparticles in conventional facemask with natural antimicrobial agents, providing an environmentally responsible solution to facemask disposal issues. This study focuses on developing a biodegradable facemask filter media using high amylose Mangifera Indica starch (HAMIS), polycaprolactone (PCL), and Eucalyptus essential oil (EO) using the electrospinning process. Different formulations of starch (5 wt. %, 6.5 wt. %), glycerol (2.5 wt.%, 3.5 wt.%), and essential oil (1% and 5%) were tested for their mechanical, chemical, and antimicrobial properties. The electrospun nanofibres showed strong antibacterial response, suppressing E. coli bacteria by up to 64%, and moderate mechanical strength. The addition of essential oil greatly improves the antibacterial response of the nanofibres, qualifying them suitable for usage in protective facemasks. This study presents a potential solution for creating sustainable, biodegradable facemasks with enhanced filtration and microbial inhibition, contributing to both public health and environmental protection.