Coaxially electrospun micro/nanofibrous poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/eggshell-protein scaffold

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Eggshell membrane (ESM) is a natural biomaterial with a porous structure and excellent biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for tissue scaffolds.
• Mimicking the structural and surface characteristics of ESM is crucial for developing effective biomimetic scaffolds.
• Soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP) can be extracted from ESM, offering a potential building block for engineered materials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize a novel biomimetic scaffold using soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP) and poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL).
• To evaluate the potential of SEP/PCL micro/nanofibers as a scaffold that mimics natural eggshell membrane properties.

Main Methods:

• Soluble eggshell membrane protein (SEP) was extracted from eggshell membrane (ESM).
• SEP was combined with poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL), a biodegradable polymer.
• A coaxial electrospinning process utilizing a dual nozzle and an auxiliary cylindrical electrode was employed to fabricate SEP/PCL micro/nanofibers.
• The resulting fiber web was characterized for water contact angle, pore-size distribution, mechanical properties, and cellular behavior.

Main Results:

• The SEP/PCL micro/nanofiber web exhibited improved hydrophilicity compared to pure PCL nanofibers.
• The scaffold demonstrated a suitable pore size and good mechanical properties.
• Cellular behavior studies indicated the potential of the SEP/PCL scaffold.

Conclusions:

• The coaxial electrospinning of SEP and PCL is a feasible method for creating biomimetic scaffolds.
• The SEP/PCL scaffold successfully mimics the properties of natural eggshell membrane.
• This engineered scaffold holds promise for applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.