Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40678451›Full record

ArticleMethodsX2025

Towards green filtration: Thyme-based antibacterial nanofiber media as alternatives to synthetic counterparts.

Zahra Shafiei, Farideh Golbabei, Mohammad Reza Pourmand, Ensieh Masoorian, Mohammad Mehdi Shirmohammadi, Kamal Azam, Vida Shahbazian, Saba Kalantary

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in MethodsX, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Zahra ShafieiDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Farideh GolbabeiDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Reza PourmandDepartment of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ensieh MasoorianDepartment of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Mehdi ShirmohammadiR&D Manager of Termeh Mask Co., Karaj, Iran.
Kamal AzamDepartment of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Vida ShahbazianDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Saba KalantaryDepartment of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

This study presents a comparative strategy for incorporating natural and synthetic antibacterial agents into electrospun nanofiber media for face mask applications, addressing concerns over toxicity and environmental impact. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers containing thyme extract (5,20, 40, 60 wt %) and ZIF-8 (5,7, 10, 15 wt %) were fabricated and characterized. Morphological analysis confirmed uniform, bead-free nanofibers with diameters ranging from 207.5 to 234.2 nm and membrane thicknesses around 150 µm. FTIR and XRD results verified the successful integration and chemical interaction of additives with the PAN matrix. Filtration performance tests revealed that thyme-based nanofibers (40 wt %) achieved 96.83 % particle filtration efficiency (PFE) at 0.3 µm, 100 % bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE), and a low pressure drop of 20.33 Pa. ZIF-8 nanofibers (7 wt %) showed 96.58 % PFE and 96.06 % BFE with a slightly higher pressure drop (25 Pa). Time-kill assays indicated stronger antibacterial activity for thyme over ZIF-8 during a 4-hour period. Compared to commercial melt-blown filters, both types of nanofibers provided improved filtration with acceptable breathability. The results suggest that thyme-loaded nanofibers offer a safe, biodegradable alternative to synthetic agents like ZIF-8, though further studies on durability, scalability, and long-term performance are needed.•Thyme extract demonstrated superior antibacterial and filtration performance compared to ZIF-8.•Electrospun nanofibers significantly outperformed melt-blown media in filtration efficiency.•The study supports natural compounds as sustainable, non-toxic alternatives for face mask applications.

Indexed as

Antibacterial agentBacterial filtration efficiency (BFE)Electrospinning, Bacterial Filtration Efficiency, Particle Filtration EfficiencyElectrospinning nanofiberMask media, ThymeParticle filtration efficiency (PFE)ZIF-8

Identifiers

PMID40678451
PMCPMC12268196

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.