Browsing by Author "Livifile, Silla"

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Development of a banana stem native cellulose and pine resin-based nanocomposite film for wound dressing applications
(Elsevier Ltd., 2025-10-25) Livifile, Silla; Tarus, Bethwel; Kisula, Lydia; Kivevele, Thomas; Jande, Yusufu
Bio-based polymer films offer sustainable wound care materials with absorbance capability, alongside biocompatibility, antimicrobial action, moisture retention, and low toxicity. In this study, a sustainable composite, biopolymer was fabricated through the electrospinning of native cellulose obtained from banana pseudo-stems and with Pinus patula resin. The composite film was evaluated for antibacterial activity on four bacterial species and characterized as well as for its water absorption and retention, vapor transmission, tensile strength, thermal stability, morphology, wettability, biocompatibility and surface area analysis. Antimicrobial tests showed a zone of inhibition measuring 8 mm for E. coli, 11 mm for S. aureus, 11 mm for K. pneumoniae and none for P. aeruginosa. Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that adjusting the cellulose-to-resin blending ratio produced fibers with distinct diameter ranges: 67–96 nm at a 9.5:0.5 ratio, 52–123 nm at an 8.4:1.6 ratio, and 100–137 nm at a 7.6:2.4 ratio, with the latter displaying a porous rough-surfaced network. The fibers had a water vapor transmission rate of 284.93 g/(m2.24 h) and an absorption capacity of 126.23 %. They attained a tensile strength of 7.28 MPa which is comparable to that of natural human skin (2.5–16 MPa), while their hydrophilic nature was proven by water contact angle of 54.13°. Thermal stability results indicated that thermal degradation started at approximately 160 °C. Porosity tests showed the films to be micro porous and appropriate for gaseous exchange and bacteria capture. Collectively, these results highlight the potential of banana cellulose-pine resin films as effective, natural wound dressing materials.
Electro-spun transparent film from banana pseudo-stem native cellulose using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide solvent system
(Elservier, 2025-06) Livifile, Silla; Tarus, Bethwel; Kisula, Lydia; Kivevele, Thomas; Jande, Yusufu
The study-utilized electrospinning to prepare a transparent film from native cellulose extracted from banana pseudo stems. The process of electrospinning was performed at room temperature conditions, after which the cellulose film was obtained through water coagulation. Dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide were added to the electrospinning solution to adjust the surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity of the prepared solutions. The formed thin film was characterized using Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray crystallography tests to confirm the elimination of non-cellulosic materials during extraction. It was revealed that the banana fibers were dominated by crystallinity and converted from cellulose-I to cellulose-II after dissolution in N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that fiber and electro-spun film morphologies could be achieved by varying sodium hydroxide solution concentration and solution parameters during fiber treatment and electrospinning. Concentration of 17.5 % (wt./v)of the alkaline solution showed to be more effective in changing the surface morphology of the fiber. The structure and mechanical characteristics of the films were influenced most by the concentration of banana native cellulose, process stability, and the solidification of the electro-spun fibers. The film exhibited an initial degradation temperature of 165°C, a light transmittance of 83.3 % in the visible UV range, and a tensile strength ranged from 5.83 MPa to 8.13 MPa. This performance highlights its potential applications in various fields, including packaging and biomedical engineering.
Electro-spun transparent film from banana pseudo-stem native cellulose using N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide solvent system
(Elsevier, 2025-04-21) Livifile, Silla; Tarus, Bethwel; Kisula, Lydia; Kivevele, Thomas; Thomas, Yusufu
The study-utilized electrospinning to prepare a transparent film from native cellulose extracted from banana pseudo stems. The process of electrospinning was performed at room temperature conditions, after which the cellulose film was obtained through water coagulation. Dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide were added to the electrospinning solution to adjust the surface tension, viscosity, and conductivity of the prepared solutions. The formed thin film was characterized using Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray crystallography tests to confirm the elimination of non-cellulosic materials during extraction. It was revealed that the banana fibers were dominated by crystallinity and converted from cellulose-I to cellulose-II after dissolution in N-methyl morpholine N-oxide (NMMO). Scanning electron microscopy images revealed that fiber and electro-spun film morphologies could be achieved by varying sodium hydroxide solution concentration and solution parameters during fiber treatment and electrospinning. Concentration of 17.5 % (wt./v)of the alkaline solution showed to be more effective in changing the surface morphology of the fiber. The structure and mechanical characteristics of the films were influenced most by the concentration of banana native cellulose, process stability, and the solidification of the electro-spun fibers. The film exhibited an initial degradation temperature of 165°C, a light transmittance of 83.3 % in the visible UV range, and a tensile strength ranged from 5.83 MPa to 8.13 MPa. This performance highlights its potential applications in various fields, including packaging and biomedical engineering.