Electrospun water-stable zein/ethyl cellulose composite nanofiber and its drug release properties

•A simple, non-toxic and cost-effective way to improve water stability of zein nanofibers was proposed.•Electrospun zein/ethyl cellulose nanofibers with improved water stability and mechanical strength were prepared.•Indomethacin was homogeneously distributed in the zein/ethyl cellulose nanofibers with no aggregation or cluster.•The zein/ethyl cellulose nanofibers presented a sustained drug release profile, following Fickican diffusion mechanism.

A simple and cost-effective way to prepare water-stable zein-based nanofibers for potential drug delivery was presented in this article. Corn protein zein was co-electrospun with hydrophobic ethyl cellulose. Indomethacin, as a model drug, was incorporated in situ into the composite nanofibers. Scanning electron microscopy and element mapping revealed the morphologies of drug-loaded nanofibers and drug distribution, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectra confirmed the physical blending among the components. Differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction demonstrated the physical state of drug and polymers in the nanofiber matrix. The composite nanofibers showed a sustained diffusion-controlled release according to the results of in vitro dissolution tests.