Structural modification and characterization of bacterial cellulose-alginate composite scaffolds for tissue
Suchata Kirdponpattara1, Arnon Khamkeaw2, Neeracha Sanchavanakit3
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand.
Abstract:
A novel bacterial cellulose-alginate composite scaffold (N-BCA) was fabricated by freeze drying and subsequent crosslinking with Ca(2+). The N-BCA then underwent a second freeze drying step to remove water without altering the physical structure. A stable structure of N-BCA with open and highly interconnected pores in the range of 90-160 μm was constructed. The N-BCA was stable in both water and PBS. The swelling ability of N-BCA in water was approximately 50 times its weight, which was about 6.5 times that of the freeze dried bacterial cellulose pellicles. N-BCA demonstrated no cytotoxicity against L929 mouse fibroblast cells. For long-term culture, N-BCA supported attachment, spreading, and proliferation of human gingival fibroblast (GF) on the surface. However, under static conditions, the cell migration and growth inside the scaffold were limited. Because of its biocompatibility and open macroporous structure, N-BCA could potentially be used as a scaffold for tissue engineering.
