Biodegradable and biocompatible soy protein/polymer/adhesive sticky nano-textured interfacial membranes for prevention of esca fungi invasion into pruning cuts and wounds of vines

S. Sett, M. W. Lee, M. Weith, B. Pourdeyhimi, A. L. Yarin

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    48 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Adhesive biodegradable membranes (patches) for the protection of pruning locations of plants from esca fungi attacks were developed using electrospun soy protein/polyvinyl alcohol and soy protein/polycaprolactone nanofibers. Several different water-soluble adhesives were either added directly to the electrospinning solutions or electrosprayed onto the as-spun nanofiber mats. The nanofibers were deposited onto a biodegradable rayon membrane, and are to be pressed onto the pruned location on a plant. The pore size in the nanofiber mats is sufficient for physically blocking fungi penetration, while the outside rayon membrane provides sufficient mechanical support in handling prior to deposition on a plant. Diseases like Vine Decline are one of the most important cases where such a remedy would be needed. It should be emphasized that these novel biodegradable and sticky patches are radically different from the ordinary electrospun ultra-filtration membranes. The normal and shear specific adhesive energy of the patches were measured, and the results show that they can withstand strong wind without being blown off. On the other hand, the patches possess sufficient porosity for plant breathing.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)2147-2162
    Number of pages16
    JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry B
    Volume3
    Issue number10
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015 Mar 14

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    The work presented in this paper was partly supported by the Australian Research Council (ARC) under discovery project DP0880739.

    Publisher Copyright:
    © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Chemistry
    • General Materials Science
    • Biomedical Engineering

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