Enhanced Stability and Bioactivity of Curcuma comosa Roxb. Extract in Electrospun Gelatin Nanofibers

Abstract

Electrospun fiber can be used as a carrier for releasing active ingredients at the target site to achieve the effects of drug treatment. The objectives of this research work were to study suitable conditions for producing electrospun gelatin fiber loaded with crude Curcuma comosa Roxb. extract (CE) and to study antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and anti-bacterial activities and its freeze–thaw stability as well. To achieve optimal conditions for producing electrospun gelatin fiber, the concentration of gelatin was adjusted to 30% w/v in a co-solvent system of acetic acid/water (9:1 v/v) with a feed rate of 3 mL/h and an applied voltage of 15 kV. The lowest percent loading of 5% (w/v) CE in gelatin nanofiber exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 94% and the highest inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme of 35%. Moreover, the inhibition zones for antibacterial activities against S. aureus and S. epidermidis were 7.77 ± 0.21 and 7.73 ± 0.12 mm, respectively. The freeze–thaw stability of CE in electrospun gelatin nanofiber was significantly different (p < 0.05) after the 4th cycle as compared to CE. Electrospun gelatin nanofiber containing CE also showed the capacity of the release of bioactive ingredients possessing anti-oxidant properties and, therefore, it could potentially be used for face masks.