S Jafari, Dr. Abdollah Hematian Sourki, S Pashangeh,
Volume 19, Issue 4 (1-2025)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to purify the water-soluble fraction of Ferula assafoetida gum, investigate its antimicrobial characteristics and explore its potential for use in producing biodegradable coatings through the electrospinning technique. Gum extracted from Ferula assafoetida root shows antifungal, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities, containing compounds such as sugars, coumarins and polysulfides. This study investigated antimicrobial characteristics of the purified gum and its nanofibers against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and food spoilage-causing molds (Aspergillus niger).
Materials & Methods: After verifying presence of bioactive compounds through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and validating antimicrobial characteristics of the purified gum using disc diffusion method, nanofibers of Ferula assafoetida gum and polyethylene oxide (PEO) were prepared via electrospinning. Antimicrobial effects of the nanofibers were assessed. Two-percent polyethylene oxide was added to the Ferula assafoetida gum solution as a co-spinning agent to facilitate the electrospinning process.
Results: Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the electrospinning process of the purified gum and PEO mixture was successful, producing uniform nanofibers with an average diameter of 482 nm. The highest antimicrobial activity of the Ferula assafoetida gum-PEO nanofibers was observed against Aspergillus niger with an inhibition zone diameter of 20.67 mm in disc diffusion assessment. Results demonstrated that purified Ferula assafoetida gum alone was not electrospinnable and PEO was needed as a co-spinning agent to produce antimicrobial nanofibers. The disc diffusion assessment showed that the F. assafoetida gum-PEO nanofibers included significant antimicrobial activities against the target microorganisms.
Conclusion: Pure Ferula assafoetida gum, as a biodegradable polymer with strong antimicrobial characteristics, can be used as a hydrocolloid component in production of biodegradable and active edible coatings and packaging.
