Media type: E-Article Title: Preparation and characterization of Rana chensinensis skin extract/poly(ε‐caprolactone) electrospun membranes as antibacterial fibrous mats Contributor: Zhang, Mei; Xu, Wen‐Yu; Wang, Jia‐Mian; Luan, Jia‐Shuang; Dong, He‐Nan; Zhang, Yu‐Jing; Li, Xue‐Qi; Sun, Da‐Hui imprint: Wiley, 2015 Published in: Journal of Applied Polymer Science Language: English DOI: 10.1002/app.42030 ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628 Keywords: Materials Chemistry ; Polymers and Plastics ; Surfaces, Coatings and Films ; General Chemistry Origination: Footnote: Description: <jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>In this study, membranes composed of <jats:italic>Rana chensinensis</jats:italic> skin extracts (RCSEs) and poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) were fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The RCSEs were prepared by the extraction of <jats:italic>R. chensinensis</jats:italic> skin with acetic acid solution, and the electrospun membranes were prepared by the mixture of RCSEs and PCL in 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexafluoro‐2‐propanol before electrospinning. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and were subjected to mechanical tests (tensile and nanoindentation) and antibacterial evaluation. The results indicate that the surface roughness of the fibers clearly decreased with the increase in the amount of PCL in the membranes. The mechanical test indicated that PCL played a dominant role in the mechanical strength of the RCSE/PCL electrospun membranes. As a potential bactericidal packaging material for practical applications, the antibacterial activity results indicate that the membranes had antibacterial effects against <jats:italic>Staphylococcus aureus</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Escherichia coli</jats:italic>. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. <jats:bold>2015</jats:bold>, <jats:italic>132</jats:italic>, 42030.</jats:p>