Gelatin-bacterial cellulose composite sponges thermally cross-linked with glucose for tissue engineering applications

Freeze-drying and thermal cross-linking techniques were used to prepare gelatin-bacterial cellulose (GB) composite sponges for potential application as scaffolds in tissue engineering. To avoid the use of toxic and costly cross-linking agents, glucose was used to cross-link the gelatin via the Maillard reaction. The effects of the weight ratio of gelatin to bacterial cellulose (BC) and the cross-linking conditions (temperature and duration) on the GB sponges were examined. An open and highly interconnected porous structure was attained for the GB sponge with a gelatin:BC weight ratio of 25:75 that was cross-linked at 140°C for 3h. Its high porosity, good swelling properties, good structural stability in water, non-toxicity and good biocompatibility against Vero cell are promising for its application as a scaffold for tissue engineering.