Preparation of antibacterial nanofibers by electrospinning polyvinyl alcohol containing a luteolin hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex

Sustained-release antimicrobial nanofibers (PVA-Lut-IC-NF) were prepared by incorporating a luteolin-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex (Lut-IC) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) via the electrospinning technique. PVA-Lut-IC-NF exhibits excellent water solubility and thermal stability. The results also showed significant antibacterial effects of PVA-Lut-IC-NF against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. Moreover, because of the sensitivities of different cytoderms to Lut, PVA-Lut-IC-NF was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus than Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. Additionally, PVA-Lut-IC-NF showed an appropriate slow release and maintained effective concentration in vitro release. PVA-Lut-IC-NF could have potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare due to its efficient antibacterial activity along with enhanced water solubility and thermal stability.