Publication

Abstract : The present study explores the synthesis of dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) modified deacetylated gum Kondagogu (DGK) in an aqueous phase and its characterization. The fabrication of nanofibre membranes (NFM) was provided using a mixture of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, 10 wt.%) and DDSA/DGK (10 wt.%) by the electrospinning method. The electrospun PVA/DDSA/DGK nanofibre membrane was cross-linked by heating at 130 °C and later by oxygen plasma treatment. The morphology and characterization of the cross-linked untreated nanofibre (U-NFM) and plasma treated (P-NFM) membranes were investigated by water contact angle measurements; scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The plasma treatment resulted in reduced fibre diameter, increased surface roughness, and enhanced hydrophilicity and created additional oxygen rich functionalities such as carbonyl, carboxyl and hydroxyl groups. The anti-microbial activities of the P-NFM and U-NFM were then investigated against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that plasma modification enhances the antibacterial properties of the membrane in comparison to the unmodified sample. The inhibition of different bacteria on P-NFM was found to be higher compared to U-NFM and decreases as follows: S. aureus > E. coli > P. aeruginosa. This study suggests that plasma modified electrospun membranes could be used as antimicrobial membranes in food, water and environmental applications.