Rotary Forcespun Polyvinylpyrrolidone Fibers Matrix Loaded with Virgin Coconut Oil: Physicochemical Characterization, In Vitro Antioxidant Assessment, and Release Profile

This study aimed to incorporate virgin coconut oil (VCO) into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fiber matrix using the rotary force spinning (RFS) method and evaluated their physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, and release behavior. The PVP/VCO fibers were produced by varying the weight ratios of PVP:VCO of 10:2, 10:3, 10:4, and 10:5. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed smooth, defect-free, and bead-free PVP/VCO fibers with diameters ranging from (1.28 +/- 0.06) to (2.17 +/- 0.41) mu m. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful loading of VCO into the PVP fiber matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated the amorphous nature of the PVP/VCO fibers. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis demonstrated that PVP/VCO fibers exhibited higher thermal stability compared to pure PVP and VCO. The antioxidant activity of VCO, with IC50 value of (1.56 +/- 0.30) mg mL-1, was not significantly altered by the incorporation of VCO into the PVP fibers. The PVP/VCO fibers exhibited IC50 values ranging from (1.58 +/- 0.06) to (2.25 +/- 0.09) mg mL-1. The release profile of VCO from the PVP/VCO fibers was influenced by the fiber diameter, with the samples containing weight ratios of 10:4 and 10:5 demonstrating optimal characteristics such as smaller diameter, higher thermal stability, higher antioxidant activity, and prolonged release behavior. This study holds promise for the development of novel oral delivery systems for VCO and contributes to the expanding research on the utilization of fiber structures in food supplement and drug delivery applications.