Biodegradable materials based on silk fibroin and keratin

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Silk fibroin (SF) and keratin are natural polymers with potential for biomedical applications.
• Understanding the structural and degradation properties of SF/keratin blends is crucial for developing advanced biomaterials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the structural and thermal properties of silk fibroin/keratin blends prepared using aqueous and formic acid systems.
• To evaluate the in vitro degradation behavior of these SF/keratin biomaterial systems.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of blended films from silk fibroin and keratin using aqueous solutions and formic acid.
• Analysis of film structures using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• Thermal analysis using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC).
• In vitro enzymatic degradation studies using trypsin.

Main Results:

• Aqueous SF/keratin films showed predominantly alpha-helix and random coil structures, while formic acid treatment induced beta-sheet conformations.
• Formic acid processing influenced the crystallization of SF and increased beta-sheet structures in keratin.
• SF/keratin blends exhibited intermolecular interactions, deviating from additive rules.
• Films cast from formic acid degraded faster than those from aqueous solutions, with degradation rate dependent on keratin content.

Conclusions:

• The processing solvent significantly impacts the secondary structure, thermal properties, and degradation kinetics of silk fibroin/keratin blends.
• These tunable SF/keratin matrices show promise for applications in tissue engineering scaffolds and controlled drug delivery systems.