LAUSR

Abstract Conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) as essential fatty acids (EFAs) have shown medical significance towards wound healing process. However, EFAs whose chemical structures possess unsaturated double bonds are unstable to environmental degradation. Encapsulation of EFAs into protective layer was the basic approach to avoid such degradation. In this work, CLA was extracted from sunflower oil, purified and characterized by spectral analysis. CLA was loaded into two different substrates namely hydrophobic, cellulose acetate (CA), and hydrophilic, liposomal emulsions of poly (vinylalcohol) (PVA) and gelatin, polymers. Electrospinning parameters were optimized to obtain clear, smooth and bead-free fibers. 12 % wt/v of CA shows bead-free fibers with diameter in range of 440-300 nm loaded with CLA up to 26% wt/wt. While, CLA (3% wt/wt) is encapsulated into the liposomal emulsions of PVA and gelatin with average fiber diameters 252-400 nm and 120-200 nm respectively. The CLA encapsulation, morphology of the electrospun fibers, and fiber diameter were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Viscosity and conductivity of the prepared solutions for electrospinning were demonstrated. Biocompatibility was evaluated by measuring cell proliferation of skin fibroblast cells. The release profile was investigated by UV- Visible spectroscopy. CLA loaded into the electrospun showed lower peroxide values (PV) of CLA.