Ultrafine Web Formation from Bee’s Sweet Treasure

Bees’ treasure “honey” is widely used in food, healthcare and cosmetic sectors. Manuka
honey (MH) is a special honey derived by honey bees from the manuka tree. MH exhibits unique
antibacterial activity called unique manuka factor (UMF). Honey is consumed mostly as liquid or
dry powder. In the present study, MH was electrospun into fibre by blending it with polyethylene
oxide (PEO). New ultrafine fibrous morphology of MH will widen its potential field of application
and method of end use. The Manuka honey and PEO (MHPEO) blended electrospun fibre mats
were observed under SEM to study fibre morphology. The effects of various solution parameters
like MH/PEO ratio, viscosity, conductivity, surface tension etc. on MHPEO electrospun fibre
morphology are also established. Effect of process parameters like feed rate, needle to collector
distance (NTCD), applied voltage (app. volt.) etc. on 15% MHPEO (15MHPEO) fibre morphology
are also determined. SEM observation revealed that smooth and unmerged fibres were obtained
from PEO solution. More merged and thicker MHPEO fibres were obtained with increase in MH
content as well as feed rate and decrease in app volt as well as NTCD. Electrospun mats were
analysed using FTIR and DSC. FTIR curves showed characteristic peaks related to both PEO and
MH in 15MHPEO mat. DSC curves showed shift of melting point towards lower temperature with
increase in MH proportion. UV-vis spectra of PEO and MHPEO solutions were also studied.