title: Preparation, characterization, and encapsulation/release studies of a composite nanofiber mat electrospun from an emulsion containing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid).
abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the preparation, characterization, and encapsulation/release performance of an electrospun composite nanofiber mat. The hypothesis was that the composite nanofiber mat with nano-scaled drug particles impregnated in biocompatible and biodegradable polymer nanofibers can serve as an innovative type of tissue engineering scaffold with desired and controllable drug encapsulation/release properties. To test the hypothesis, the composite nanofiber mat electrospun from an emulsion consisting of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) Rhodamine B (a model compound to simulate drugs), sorbitan monooleate (Span-80, a non-ionic emulsifier/surfactant that is presumably non-toxic/safe for cell-growth), chloroform, DMF, and distilled water was prepared and characterized; and the Rhodamine B encapsulation/release profile in phosphate buffered saline (pH = 7.4) was recorded and analyzed. For comparison purposes, two additional nanofiber mats electrospun from (1) a solution containing PLGA and Rhodamine B, and (2) a solution containing PLGA, Rhodamine B, and Span-80 were also prepared and assessed as the control samples. The results indicated that the composite nanofiber mat electrospun from the emulsion had the most desired and controllable Rhodamine B encapsulation/release profile and the excellent morphological sustainability; thus, it could be utilized as both a drug encapsulation/release vehicle and a tissue engineering scaffold.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 501 East St. Joseph Street, Rapid City, South Dakota, 57701, USA.
authors.forename: Yiliang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.forename: Lifeng
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Zheng-Tao
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Fong