Nanoencapsulation of pomegranate seed oil into dextran-gelatin fibers by electrospinning method

The aim of this study to encapsulate pomegranate seed oil (PSO) into nanofibers that are obtained from dextran and gelatin polymers by electrospinning method appropriately and efficiently. First of all, fiber production in different solution concentrations was carried out in order to determine the parameters to be applied in the electrospinning method. The optimal solution concentration for PSO encapsulations was specified as 30% polymer by mass and 50% dextran and 50% gelatin in the polymer. Fort he production of homogeneous, smooth and small diameter nanofibers, the electrospin parameters were set as 21 kV voltage, 15 µl/min flow rate and 12,5 cm needle tip to collector distance. Afterward, the encapsulation process was studied with 10%, 20% and 30% concentrations with pomegranate seed oil. scanning electron microscope (SEM) device was used to understand the morphological characterization of the produced nanofibers. It was found that the diameters of the nanofibers diameter increased with increased PSO concentration. FTIR analysis results showed that PSO was encapsulated into dextran-gelatin nanofibers suitably. The DPPH radical scavenging activity value of unencapsulated PSO was compared with the encapsulated the DPPH radical scavenging activity value calculated by the 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrihydrazyl (DPPH) method. DPPH radical scavenging activity value increased with the increase in PSO concentration, but it was observed that increasing fibre diameter caused a decrease in efficiency. The encapsulation process with electrospinning method was carried out with approximately 92% efficiency. With this study, natural, biocompatible and high antioxidant product has been obtained that can replace artificial antioxidant materials that have a widespread use in the food industry.