Development of Chitosan-Gelatin Nanofibers with Cellulose Nanocrystals for Skin Protection Applications

In this work, natural-based and biodegradable nanofibers were produced by electrospinning for drug delivery wound dressing applications, using gelatin (Gel), chitosan (CS), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) natural propolis extract. The polymeric formulations parameters optimized, resulting in the development of Gel/CS with mean diameters 97 nm. CNC successfully introduced into optimized solution viscosity conductivity values recorded. developed characterized FESEM, ATR-FTIR, TGA WCA. incorporation different concentrations improved solutions’ electrospinnability membranes’ physical integrity. Defect-free uniform Gel/CS/CNC observed FESEM images, fibers’ slight increased. hydrophilic character was maintained after incorporation. Finally, Gel/CS/CNC/Propolis demonstrated antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative ( E. coli ) Gram-positive S. aureus bacteria.