Microfluidic fabrication of robust konjac glucomannan-based microfiber scaffolds with high antioxidant performance

The exploration of high-performance biological scaffolds with antioxidant properties and microstructures is of great scientific and technological interest. Here, we develop a facile and green strategy to construct robust konjac glucomannan/polyvinylpyrrolidone (KGM/PVP) microfiber scaffolds via microfluidic spinning technology. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a representative natural antioxidant was then loaded into the microfiber scaffolds. Then characterizations were done by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectra, IR images, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis, along with antioxidant characterization. The as-prepared microfiber scaffolds (the average width of the microfibers is 1 ± 0.1 μm) are of high order, transparency, thermostability, and excellent antioxidant activity (43% DPPH radical scavenging activity and 0.61 reducing force), conferring highly potential applications in wound dressing and contact lenses. A platform was constructed to produce microfiber scaffolds with antioxidant properties via microfluidic spinning strategy, which has potential applications as contact lenses lining films and transparent wound dressings.