Biocompatible polyhydroxyalkanoates/bacterial cellulose composites: Preparation, characterization, and in vitro...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Biocompatible composites are essential scaffolds for tissue engineering applications.
• Developing novel materials with tunable properties is crucial for advancing regenerative medicine.
• Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), and bacterial cellulose (BC) are promising biopolymers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prepare and characterize novel biocomposites from PHB, PHA, and BC.
• To evaluate the thermal, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties of these novel biocomposites.
• To investigate the influence of varying concentrations of PHA and BC on material characteristics and cell interactions.

Main Methods:

• Biocomposites were synthesized using the solution casting method.
• Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to assess thermal stability.
• Mechanical properties, crystallinity, crystallization temperature, cell attachment, proliferation, and cytocompatibility (using L929 cell line) were characterized.

Main Results:

• Bacterial cellulose (BC) addition enhanced the thermal stability of the polymer matrix.
• PHB crystallinity and crystallization temperature decreased with BC and PHA addition, widening the processing window.
• Small concentrations of BC improved mechanical properties due to synergistic effects with PHA.
• Good cell attachment and proliferation were observed across all biocomposite formulations.
• Surface properties and cell attachment were controllable by adjusting PHA and BC ratios.

Conclusions:

• The developed PHB/PHA/BC biocomposites exhibit promising thermal, mechanical, and biocompatibility profiles.
• These materials are suitable for biomedical applications, particularly as scaffolds in tissue engineering.
• The combination of hydrophobic PHA and hydrophilic BC allows for tailored surface properties and cell interactions.