This study investigates quercetin-loaded zein nanoribbons, which were fabricated using different types of electrospinning processes. Using ethanol aqueous solutions as sheath fluids, the widths of quercetin-loaded zein nanoribbons (D, nm) could be manipulated simply through the adjustment of water contents(C) in the sheath fluids according to an equation of D=958-8.01C(r=0.9977), as indicated by the field emission scanning electron microscopic observations. X-ray diffraction and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared analysis suggested that the quercetin presented in the zein nanoribbons in an amorphous state due to their high compability resulted from hydrogen bonds. In vitro dissolution tests verified that nanoribbons from the coaxial process and single fluid process could provide drug sustained release profiles via a typical Fickian diffusion mechanism, and the former exhibited better performance than the later in terms of small initial burst effect and leveling-off release. Coaxial electrospinning with solvents can expand the capability of electrospinning in generating nanoproducts and provide a way for improving the nanoproducts' quality and functional performance.
Keywords: Zein; coaxial electrospinning; drug delivery; nanoribbons; quercetin.