Cinnamaldehyde-poly (lactic acid)/gelatin nanofibers exhibiting antibacterial and antibiofilm activity

Bacterial infections and biofilms are known to impede the wound-healing process. Naturally derived compounds from plants hold promise in inhibiting or preventing bacterial biofilms, with cinnamaldehyde (CA) being recognized for its antibacterial and antibiofilm properties. In this investigation, three-dimensional, antibacterial, and biodegradable nanofibers were synthesized via electrospinning, employing FDA-approved polylactic acid (PLA), gelatin (Gel), and the phytoactive molecule cinnamaldehyde (CA). The cinnamaldehyde content, morphology, and physical as well as biological characteristics of the electrospun PLA-Gel-CA nanofibers were scrutinized using HPLC, SEM, TGA, and FTIR analysis. The antibacterial activity of the PLA-Gel-CA nanofibers against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, along with their antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa, were evaluated. The average diameters of PLA-Gel-CA nanofibers, specifically PLA-Gel-CA1, PLA-Gel-CA2, and PLA-Gel-CA3, were determined to be 294.9 ± 46.8 nm, 254 ± 58.3 nm, and 728.5 ± 98.3 nm, respectively. PLA-Gel-CA3 nanofibers demonstrated notable antibacterial efficacy against S. aureus (31.0 ± 1.20 mm) and P. aeruginosa (16.0 ± 1.20 mm), along with a significant inhibition of P. aeruginosa biofilm formation by 72.2%. These findings indicate the potential of cinnamaldehyde-loaded nanofibers for wound application owing to their antibacterial and antibiofilm activity, as well as their rapid dissolution characteristics.