Optimum processing conditions for the electrospinning of water-soluble eggshell membrane (S-ESM) were investigated. Two biocompatible polymers, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), were used to improve the processability of S-ESM for electrospinning in aqueous media. Uniform nanofibers with average diameters of 240 and 335 nm were successfully electrospun for blend ratios at S-ESM/PEO = 95 : 5 and S-ESM/PVA = 60 : 40 with a solutes concentration of 20 and 18 wt %, respectively. Insoluble S-ESM/PEO and S-ESM/PVA fibers were achieved after treatment with catechin and required no toxic or synthetic additives. FTIR spectra indicated that the hydrogen bond formed between S-ESM and catechin was the main interaction that improved the insolubility of S-ESM/PEO and S-ESM/PVA nanofibers in water. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 117: 2042-2049, 2010