Electrospun zein/C-phycocyanin composite: Simulation, characterization and therapeutic application

In the present study, a composite containing zein and C-phycocyanin (ZCPhy 20) was developed using an electrospinning process. The results represented that all fibers had tubular morphology with larger diameters by adding phycocyanin. Simulations provided information about the 3D structure of proteins in an acidic condition and under an applied voltage. Results demonstrated that proteins were denatured and unfolded by helix-to-coil transition. FTIR, Raman, XRD, and CD results were properly in accordance with findings obtained from simulation, confirming the structural changes of proteins after being electrospun. Moreover, thermostabilized ZCPhy 20 as the result of thermostable phycocyanin was gained from TGA thermograms. DPPH assay also indicated phycocyanin antioxidant activity in native and fibrous forms. Ultimately, worthy antibacterial activity and potent anti-cancer activity of ZCPhy 20 against HT-29 cells were observed. These findings elucidate the fabrication and characterization of ZCPhy 20 composite as a promising edible film with medical and nonmedical applications. [Display omitted] •CPhy/zein tubular fibers (ZCPhy 20) were fabricated by electrospinning.•ZCPhy composite showed denaturation in acid and under electric field.•Thermostabilized composite had proper antioxidant and antibacterial activities.•ZCPhy 20 inhibited the proliferation of HT-29 cells by 77% after 48 h.