Phytochemicals have been used over the centuries in order to cure various diseases and
still do to this day. Phytochemicals are herbal extracts that are also named herbal
remedies. Curcumin (CUR), which is a natural polyphenolic compound derived from
the roots of the plant Curcuma Longa, has many therapeutic properties. CUR has poor
water solubility and instability that has confined its further applications, thus there is
need for a carrier to deliver the drug consistently. In this research, the feasibility of using
polycaprolactone/gelatin nanofibers as carriers for CUR is examined. Nanofibers are
obtained by electrospinning method. The morphology of nanofibers was observed by
scanning electron microscopy. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and differential
scanning calorimetry is used to study the thermal behavior of the nanofibers.
Antibacterial tests were conducted against methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
(MRSA) and extended spectrum b lactamase (ESBL). These pathogens are very dangerous and versatile pathogens emerging rapidly causing nosocomial infections in hospitals.
The nanofibers were 99.9% antibacterial against MRSA and 82.56% against ESBL. The
results showed that these nanofibers have potent antibacterial activity against both
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. As a result, these nanofibers are very
promising materials for antibacterial applications.