Production of bioactive peptide containing nanofibers by electrospinning, characterization and investigation of their bioactivities

In this thesis, it is aimed to obtain nanofibers containing bioactive peptide which can be used as a drug transport platform by electrospin method. For this purpose, nanofibers were produced by electrospin method from the solutions prepared by dissolving cyclotide peptides and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) obtained from Viola biflora plant in pure water in certain proportions. After extraction of the cyclotide peptides from Viola biflora, it was first purified by C18 flash chromatography. These peptides were then further purified by reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), and the molecular weights of the collected fractions were determined by liquid chromatography/quadrupole-flight time mass spectrometry (LC-MS/QTOF). The obtained peptides were mixed with 10% PVA solution and then nanofibers were produced by electrospinning method. The nanofibers produced were first characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and 100% (cyclotide/10% PVA, w/v) of peptide-containing nanofibers have more regular fiber textures. The presence of the peptides in the nanofiber was checked by analytical RP-HPLC. The fact that the peptides in peptide fractions and nanofiber solutions have the same retention times proved that the produce nanofibers contains peptides. The antimicrobial activities of nanofibers were tested by antimicrobial susceptibility test. As a result of the antimicrobial activity studies, nanofibers showed activity against gram positive bacteria (Bacillus cereus). As a result of these findings, it was seen that peptide-containing nanofibers can be produced and used in pharmaceutical research and development studies.