Antibacterial characteristics of nanofiber structures obtained by benzalkonium chloride additive poly (vinyl alcohol)/gelatin

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is a hydrophilous and semi-crystallized. It has attracted much relevancy due to its pretty chemical endurance, fine thermal determination, decent physical specialities, wonderful bio-compatibility and cheapness. Gelatin (G) is a natural polymer and that are interesting materials for biomedical applications. Electrospinning is a simple method that provides very porous nanofiber production with high surface area. It is possible to produce biomedical, filtration, energy storage and protective materials by using electrospinning method. Benzalkonium chloride (BAC) is a kind of anti-microbial cationic surface-active agent, which has been pretty used in merchant wound dressings and has a powerful status toward Gr+ bacteria. In this study, nanofibers were produced from electrospinning of BAC, PVA and G containing solutions at various concentrations. The fibers of obtained nanofiber structure were uniform, continuous and intensive. The optimum parameters in terms of good mechanical and antibacterial properties were determined. S2 sample, electrospun from 11.63% PVA + 1.0% G +1.0% BAC containing solution, had the best morphological and mechanical properties due to having the thinnest fiber diameter (51±13nm) and the highest vertical strength (4.299MPa) and horizontal strength (4.058MPa). It also had antibacterial activity against all the bacteria tested ( E. coli, P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis and S. aureus ). Due to owning good mechanical and antibacterial properties, S2 sample can have many uses in medical sector.