BETULIN INTEGRATION METHOD INTO SOLUTIONS FOR NEEDLELESS ELECTROSPINNING

Abstract

The aim of the research is to develop a method for betulin integration into electrospinning solutions to electrospun qualitative nanofibers webs morphology with high surface area and increase bioavailability. The main challenge in this study is to prepare betulin - containing electrospinning solutions with suitable concentrations due to limited betulin solubility in water and low alcohol concentrations. Tree concentrations of betulin extracts were obtained. The operation sequence to obtain electrospinning solutions was developed - the betulin powder was dissolved with ethanol then the resulting solution was combined with the 8 - 10 wt% polyvinyl alcohol solution to prepare several types of spinning solutions to acquire nanofibers with needleless electrospinning equipment. The electrical conductivity and viscosity of solutions were measured to select the most appropriate solution proportions for the electrospinning process. The SEM micrographs were analysed to characterize morphology and diameters of fibers webs, the FTIR analyse was used to approve the presence of betulin in the chemical composition of the samples. The method for betulin integration into electrospinning solutions is prepared, and tree betulin � containing nanofibers webs are obtained with higher betulin concentration in nanofibers � 5.01 wt%. Fibers morphology is without defects, 10 wt% PVA solution results in nanofibers average diameters of 556-595 nm and decrease with higher betulin additive to 213 - 236 nm. The FTIR analyse approves, that samples contain betulin (wave numbers 1006-1126 cm-1 with a peak at 1086 and decrease at about 1055 cm-1). Obtained nanofibers samples with betulin can use in medicine and cosmetics for skin care and treatment. A polymer matrix filled with biologically active compounds is an efficient method for transporting them to the target location.