Development of antibacterial wipes coated with nanofibers made from nisin and polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract

Nosocomial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), a major pathogen that colonizes human skin, are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Effective management of S. aureus is essential, especially given the rising threat of antibiotic resistance. Innovative alternatives, such as antimicrobial peptides, are needed as they are effective against drug-resistant strains and less toxic to human cells than conventional antibiotics. Nanofiber-based materials are promising tools for delivering these peptides. In this study, a nisin-loaded polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) coated wipes were developed via electrospinning. The coated wipes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) . Air permeability, water sorption, and peptide assay tests were performed. Additionally, the antibacterial activity of the coated wipes was evaluated against S. aureus , including methicillin-resistant strains. The presence of nisin in the fiber was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy with the characteristic IR bands of nisin at 1652, 1517, and 1326 cm −1 . The TGA results also confirmed the presence of nisin. The nisin-loaded nanofibers collected on wipes as coating exhibited significant antibacterial activity against S. aureus strains. The results indicated that the produced nanofiber-coated wipes have the potential to combat S. aureus effectively.