Natural polymer-based electrospun fibers for antibacterial uses

This chapter summarizes the most recent research about antimicrobial electrospun nanofibers produced with natural-based polymers and products thereof (i.e., proteins, cellulose, chitosan). In recent years, nanofibrous mats derived from natural polymers have attracted increasing attention for biomedical applications thanks to their biocompatibility, biodegradation, and low toxicity. Natural polymers are usually difficult to be transformed into nanofibers, and therefore a synthetic polymer is often used in blend with the natural polymer or the natural polymer is chemically modified to be processed via high-voltage electric forces. With the development of electrospinning, nanofibers have been widely used to incorporate antimicrobial agents. Nanofibers have shown to be excellent materials to control the concentration of released agents and to improve spreading and efficiency of the antimicrobial activity of biocidal compounds.