Fabrication and characterization of nanofibers of honey/poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene isosorbide trephthalate) by electrospinning

•We report blending of natural biomaterial with synthetic material.•We fabricated honey/poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene isosorbide trephthalate) nanofibers via electrospinning.•Different blend ratios of PICT/honey nanofibers were fabricated and characterized.•The resultant nanofibers have good mechanical properties and good releasing behavior.•Proposed material may be used for wound dressings.

We report the fabrication of novel nanofibers using naturally occurring antimicrobial honey incorporated in poly(1,4-cyclohexane dimethylene isosorbide trephthalate) (PICT) for the potential wound dressing applications. We fabricated PICT/honey using three blend ratios 90:10, 85:15 and 80:20 respectively. Morphology of PICT nanofibers and PICT/honey nanofibers was observed under Scanning Electron Microscope and it showed bead-free nanofibers. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope was used to confirm the presence of honey in PICT electrospun nanofibers. Tensile strength of PICT/honey nanofibers was slightly reduced with variation in effect of elongation. Water contact angle measurements were done with the static contact angle by a contact angle meter, which showed that hydrophobicity was decreased by adding the honey. The XPS spectra showed that honey was present in the PICT/honey nanofibers. The release behavior of honey was investigated by UV-visible Spectrophotometer. The release was complete in 15 min and the maximum release of honey was 72 mg/L in 10 min. Therefore, PICT/honey nanofibers having 15% concentration of honey are suitable for good elastic behavior and tensile strength as compared to other concentrations of honey.