Size-Tunable Low Molecular Weight Pectin-Based Electrospun Nanofibers Blended with Low Content of Poly(ethylene oxide).

ABSTRACT

Pectin, a natural plant polysaccharide, holds great potential for biomedicine. Developing low molecular weight (Mw) pectin-based nanofibers is desirable for biomedical applications in which fast degradation and elimination of polymer from the body are required. Here, we report the first work on fabricating low Mw pectin-based nanofibers through electrospinning, among which the content of carrier polymer, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), can be minimized to 10%. Surfactant (Triton X-100), high polymer concentration and cosolvent were essential to electrospin bead-free nanofibers at low PEO content. The size of pectin nanofibers was dependent on polymer concentration and cosolvent. The presence of cosolvent inhibited the crystallization of PEO, but enhanced the crystallization of pectin. Meanwhile, glycerol as cosolvent could lead to phase separation of polymers. This work provides a new prospective for the fabrication of low Mw pectin nanofibers suitable for in vivo applications with the demand of fast degradation.