Supporting information for

Effects and efficacy of different sterilization and disinfection methods on electrospun drug delivery

systemsLiis Preem1, Ebe Vaarmets1, Andres Meos1, Indrek Jõgi2, Marta Putrinš3, Tanel Tenson3,

Karin Kogermann1

1Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia2Institute of Physics, University of Tartu, W. Ostwaldi 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia3Institute of Technology, University of Tartu, Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia

Figure S1. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms obtained during heating of PCL (A),

PCL/CAM (B), PCL/PEO (C) and PCL/PEO/CAM (D) electrospun fiber matrices: untreated fibers (a) compared

to gamma irradiated (b), UV-treated for 30 min on both sides (c), in situ generated chlorine gas treated for 1 h (d)

and argon plasma treated for 1 min on both sides (e).

Key: CAM – chloramphenicol; PCL – polycaprolactone; PEO – polyethylene oxide.

Figure S2. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms obtained during cooling of PCL (A),

PCL/CAM (B), PCL/PEO (C) and PCL/PEO/CAM (D) electrospun fiber matrices: untreated fibers (a) compared

to gamma irradiated (b), UV-treated for 30 min on both sides (c), in situ generated chlorine gas treated for 1 h (d)

and argon plasma treated for 1 min on both sides (e).

Key: CAM – chloramphenicol; PCL – polycaprolactone; PEO – polyethylene oxide.

Table S1. Mechanical properties and thickness of untreated and differently treated (gamma irradiation, UV-

treatment for 30 min on both sides, in situ generated chlorine gas treatment for 1 h and argon plasma treatment

for 1 min on both sides) electrospun fiber matrices.

Fiber matrix Treatment   Thickness [µm] Hardness [g] Deformation at hardness [mm]

Hardness work done [mJ]

PCL Untreated 67.9±1.4 154±8 5.5±0.2 13.4±1.0  Gamma 73.1±4.9 245±16 6.0±0.5 21.0±3.2  UV 30 min 62.1±1.3 147±2 5.3±0.2 12.9±0.5  Chlorine gas 63.2±4.3 161±12 5.4±0.4 13.5±1.0  Plasma 1 min 67.3±3.5 166±18 5.5±0.8 15.1±3.2PCL/CAM Untreated 84.4±8.0 225±12 5.9±0.4 20.8±1.8

  Gamma 84.6±3.9 489±20 7.1±0.2 27.4±2.0  UV 30 min 85.5±1.5 249±27 7.8±1.6 26.0±4.9  Chlorine gas 87.1±8.1 231±28 5.9±0.6 21.1±4.1  Plasma 1 min 82.3±5.3 236±16 7.7±0.9 25.1±2.8PCL/PEO Untreated 82.4±3.3 165±10 5.2±0.2 13.2±0.8  Gamma 76.9±9.6 174±26 4.4±0.4 14.1±1.9  UV 30 min 78.3±2.2 143±13 4.4±0.1 9.4±0.9  Chlorine gas 85.3±1.7 169±6 4.5±0.2 12.9±1.2  Plasma 1 min 81.4±3.2 183±9 4.6±0.4 13.2±1.3PCL/PEO/CAM Untreated 80.1±0.6 164±6 5.6±0.3 13.6±0.8  Gamma 76.0±8.0 194±16 5.3±0.5 19.2±2.0  UV 30 min 79.0±2.0 193±9 7.0±0.7 20.0±2.0  Chlorine gas 82.9±0.9 179±7 5.3±0.3 16.0±1.3  Plasma 1 min 83.2±1.7 179±4 5.0±0.3 15.9±1.0

Key: CAM – chloramphenicol; PCL – polycaprolactone; PEO – polyethylene oxide.