Development and characterization of chitosan based polymer composite nanofibre as a smart carrier system for microbial immobilization

Electrospinning is a versatile and efficient technique which uses high electric field to produce ultrafine fibres from polymers. Nanofibers are widely used in biomedical and tissue engineering as scaffolds, sensors, filters, membranes, batteries, protective clothing, Wound dressing and as a catalyst. In agriculture, it is applied for controlled and targeted release of bioactive compounds. The main aim of this study was to develop E-spun nanofibre using biopolymer that act as a smart carrier system for beneficial bacteria to use it in seed coating. Polymer composite nanofibre was developed using chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) by experimenting different ratio of PVA/Chitosan. The e-spin solution containing PVA and chitosan in the ratio of 8:2 was found to be optimum in producing fibre with desired diameter. The developed fibre was further characterized By Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The electron micrograph images provide the morphological structure of the PVA/Chitosan polymer composite nanofibre (100-150nm). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR) measurement exhibited the interaction and existence of relevant functional groups of both PVA and chitosan in the nanocomposite fibres. This study provides a simple approach for the development of non-wovens that acts as a smart carrier to immobilize microbes which can be used for seed coating.