The optimum conditions for the fabrication of zein/Ag composite nanoparticles from ethanol/H₂O cosolvents using electrospinning and the properties of the composite were investigated. The zein/Ag nanoparticles were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis. The antibacterial activity of the zein/Ag composite nanoparticles was also investigated. The XRD patterns and TEM images indicate the coexistence of a zein matrix and well-distributed Ag nanoparticles.
Keywords: antibacterial activity; electrospinning; nanoparticles; silver; zein.