Antimicrobial membranes based on polycaprolactone:pectin blends reinforced with zeolite faujasite for cloxacillin-controlled release

Discover Nano Research Antimicrobial membranes based on polycaprolactone:pectin blends reinforced with zeolite faujasite for cloxacillin‑controlled release Bárbara Bernardi1,2 · João Otávio Donizette Malafatti1 · Ailton José Moreira3 · Andressa Cristina de Almeida Nascimento1,2 · Juliana Bruzaca Lima3 · Lilian Aparecida Fiorini Vermeersch1 · Elaine Cristina Paris1 Received: 30 August 2024 / Accepted: 2 December 2024 © The Author(s) 2025  OPEN Abstract Multifunctional membranes applied to biomedical materials become attractive to support the biological agents and increase their properties. In this study, biopolymeric fibers based on polycaprolactone (PCL) and pectin (PEC) were reinforced with faujasite zeolite (FAU) for cloxacillin antibiotic (CLX) loading. FAU with a high specific surface area (347 ± 8 m2 g−1), high crystallinity and particles with a diameter of up to 100 nm were produced under optimized synthesis conditions (100 °C/4 h). Zeolites were incorporated into polymeric nanofibers to be a cloxacillin (CLX) carrier in wound treatment, using electrospinning as an efficient synthesis method. The fibers produced showed good mechanical resistance and the incorporation of CLX was proven by assays to inhibit the growth of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. The controlled release of CLX in different pH conditions, which simulate the wound environment, was carried out for up to 229 h, achieving a released CLX concentration of up to 6.18 ± 0.02 mg L−1. These results prove that obtaining a hybrid fiber (polymer-zeolite) to incorporate drugs to be released in a controlled manner was successfully achieved. The bactericidal activity of this material shows that its use for measured applications could be an alternative to conventional methods. Keywords Antimicrobial · Electrospun · Nanofibers · Pectin · Faujasite · Polycaprolactone 1 Introduction Wound dressings are part of biomedical materials essential to skin infections, acting as external barrier protection (physical, chemical, and biological) and drug release systems [1]. Bactericidal dressings have the advantages of non-invasive administration, protection against external entry of harmful microorganisms, and easy application [2]. Furthermore, encapsulate administrations can minimize the drug excess when applied directly to the skin, releasing control [3, 4]. This way, modulating the result is possible from the best performance in the therapeutic window due to the excreted fraction, avoiding high concentration in the bloodstream, which results in toxicity [5, 6]. The efficiency depends on dermal compatibility, good fixation, mechanical flexibility, and the ability to encapsulate biological agents for release [7, 8]. Polymeric fiber membranes are an excellent alternative to matrix dressing, increasing the surface area, porosity, and versatility, promoting a favorable drug incorporating and posterior release, and dressing more significant contact with the infected area [9–11]. Controlled release minimizes the toxicity due to high doses of application, as well as eliminating * Elaine Cristina Paris, | 1National Nanotechnology Laboratory for Agriculture (LNNA), Embrapa Instrumentação, 1452 XV de Novembro St., São Carlos, SP 13560‑970, Brazil. 2Department of Chemistry, Federal University of São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís, Km 235, São Carlos, SP 13565‑905, Brazil. 3Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, SP 14800‑060, Brazil. Discover Nano (2025) 20:8 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024-04161-y Vol.:(0123456789) Research Discover Nano (2025) 20:8 | https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-024-04161-y the inconvenience of continuous invasive application. However, producing polymeric membranes with such properties is a major challenge that requires new synthetic routes to achieve a chemical composition that guarantees stability for the application and compatibility with the cell structure [12]. The electrospinning method is a technique that allows the transformation of a variety of polymers into fibers with controlled morphology and composition [12–14]. The fibers obtained through this technique have proven to be efficient in encapsulating drugs and maintaining an environment for the regeneration of the biological system, making them attractive for producing materials that improve the treatment of wounds and infected areas [2, 10]. Biocompatible polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polylactic acid (PLA), and polycaprolactone (PCL) support a range of antimicrobial agents against bacteria, fungi, and viruses associated with different diseases [15]. Additionally, biologically compatible, biodegradable, and low-cost products are desirable for these dressings, minimizing the environmental impact and production costs [16, 17]. Polycaprolactone (PCL) is a polyester synthetic polymer with elastic, biodegradable, and hydrophobic characteristics approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In biomedical applications, PCL fiber membranes have demonstrated the capacity to increase drug encapsulation and microbial control [12, 18]. On the other hand, pectin (PEC) is a polymer with glycosidic bonds, many branches, and hydroxyl groups, which gives it a hydrophilic character and hydrocolloid properties [18, 19]. Other advantages of their use are low cost, renewable, biocompatible, and high availability. Combining polymers has advantages for these membranes, improving the type of drugs incorporated, behavior release, adhesion skin, and permeability by adding other carrier agents [20–22]. Studies involving the combination of polymers with different characteristics can overcome these limitations and lead to a superior medical treatment [23]. In particular, the PCL:PEC (PP) blend proposal for wound dressing is an interesting material for evaluating miscibility and compatibility. Polymeric fiber membranes with the addition of particulates (ceramics, polymers, etc.) show advantageous characteristics for dressing production, exhibiting improvement since mechanical properties and external barrier [24–27]. The presence of active particles between the chain polymeric help to absorb the tension traction and increase sites in the membrane that are available to electrostatic interaction, covalent bonds, and others. The usual reinforcement materials are as nanocellulose [28], general oxides [29], clays [12], silicates [30], and zeolites [31] are examples of biomedical materials applications. Zeolites are aluminosilicates with tridimensional structures that are porous, chemically stable, and biocompatible [32, 33]. In particular, Faujasite (FAU) is one zeolite family with high surface area and efficient dispersibility, allowing homogeneous distribution and more effective reinforcement properties [34]. In addition to these characteristics, FAU zeolite’s biocompatibility and stability in biological environments (carrier agent and target molecule affinity) make it an exciting material for biological a (...truncated)