Novel lactose-based composite fibers functionalized with Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate via melt centrifugal/rotary jet spinning

Abstract

This study introduces a novel lactose-based composite fiber as a potential platform for biomedical applications. Lactose–stearyl glycyrrhetinate (SG) composite microfibers were fabricated through a solvent-free melt centrifugal/rotary jet spinning (MC/RJS) process using a modified cotton-candy device. Lactose served as a melt-spinnable matrix, enabling formation of continuous fibrous networks. SEM and optical microscopy revealed ribbon-like microfibers with mean diameters of 1.08–1.54 μm. FTIR confirmed retention of characteristic functional groups of lactose and SG, indicating preservation of chemical integrity during processing, while XRD demonstrated a multiphase semi-crystalline structure. Antibacterial testing showed composition-dependent inhibition against E. coli, with a maximum inhibition zone of 24 mm for the 40 wt% SG formulation, whereas no measurable inhibition was observed against S. aureus. Overall, this work establishes a cost-effective, solvent-free route for producing lactose-based bioactive composite fibers and provides a foundational basis for further evaluation toward applications, such as wound dressing.

Introduction

Fibrous biomaterials are widely explored for wound care because porous, high-surface-area structures support localized therapeutic delivery [1]. Lactose is a biocompatible carbohydrate used in pharmaceutical formulations and exhibits melt-processable behavior suitable for fibrous matrix formation [2]. However, pure lactose fibers lack therapeutic properties, necessitating combination with bioactive compounds [3]. For example, lactose-modified chitosan has been incorporated into electrospun dressings that promote wound closure, with favorable swelling and water vapor permeability [4]. Stearyl glycyrrhetinate (SG), a bioactive ester from licorice root, exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial activity, making it valuable for pharmaceutical applications [5]. Oyama et al. demonstrated that SG inhibits Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), [6]. However, its incorporation into carbohydrate-based melt-spun fibrous systems remains unexplored.

Traditional methods like electrospinning often require high voltage and organic solvents, limiting scalability and complicating incorporation of sensitive agents [7]. Melt centrifugal/rotary jet spinning (MC/RJS) offers a solvent-free, high-throughput alternative where molten materials are extruded through a rapidly rotating spinneret and elongated into microfibers by centrifugal forces [8]. Here, lactose–SG composite microfibers were fabricated using a modified cotton-candy device operating under MC/RJS principles [9]. To our knowledge, this is the first report of lactose–SG composite fibers via solvent-free MC/RJS. The fibers were characterized by SEM, FTIR, and XRD, and antibacterial performance was evaluated against Escherichia coli and S. aureus.

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Materials

Spray-dried lactose (SD2L, Armor Pharma, France), SG (GFN Selco, Germany), and ethanol (ACS, Sigma-Aldrich) were used. Deionized water was obtained in-house. Mueller-Hinton agar (BP1423–500) and LB Broth (BP1426–500) were from Fisher BioReagents (USA).

Syed Inayat Ali Shah, Arifur Rahman, Asma Fathi, Mahnaz Yahyapour Boeini, Christopher Reid Hayden Ward, Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti, Novel lactose-based composite fibers functionalized with Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate via melt centrifugal/rotary jet spinning, Materials Letters, Volume 420, 2026, 140934, ISSN 0167-577X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2026.140934.

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