Are ultrafine submicron sized gliadin fibrous materials suitable as bio-absorbents? Processing and post-treatment derived structures and functional properties

Gliadins were electrospun into ultrafine fibrous membrane-like materials to evaluate their processability and suitability as bio-absorbents. From a wide range of tested protein concentrations processing conditions, 15 20% solutions optimal produce uniform fibers with sizes <1 μm. The results showed that the gliadin solution produced round fibers, while 15% resulted in formation diverse morphologies such flat-ribbon shaped fibers. Importantly, post-heat treatment at 130 °C for 2 h increased crosslinking improved functionality Heat-treatment induced higher amounts α-helices random coils, though no change β-sheets observed. With post heat-treatment, indicated proteins by inter intramolecular disulphide, hydrogen bonding other weaker interactions. newly fabricated material demonstrated certain stability ability absorb “lock” defibrinated sheep blood, suggesting support from submicron sized structural morphology material. For further development steps gliadin-based materials, new efforts are needed modification gliadins maintain structures improve strength order explore them bio-absorbents or even scaffolds.