Fibroin nanofibers production by electrospinning method

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Silk fibroin possesses desirable properties for biomedical applications, including biocompatibility and high tensile strength.
• Electrospinning is a versatile technique for fabricating nanofiber structures with high surface area and porosity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize electrospinning parameters for producing uniform silk fibroin nanofibers.
• To investigate the influence of electrospinning variables on the physical and structural properties of silk fibroin nanomaterials.
• To assess the in vitro cell viability of the fabricated silk fibroin mats.

Main Methods:

• Optimization of electrospinning parameters: solution concentration, applied voltage, and tip-to-collector distance.
• Characterization of silk fibroin nanofibers, including fiber diameter, mat thickness, and tensile strength.
• In vitro cell viability assays (24h and 48h) on the electrospun silk fibroin mats.

Main Results:

• Increased solution concentration led to higher mat thickness, fiber diameter, and strength.
• Increased distance resulted in decreased fiber diameter and tensile strength, with distance-dependent effects on mat thickness.
• Higher applied voltage decreased fiber diameter, while tensile strength was inversely proportional to voltage and distance.
• Silk fibroin mats demonstrated high cell viability at 24 hours, but reduced viability at 48 hours.

Conclusions:

• Electrospinning parameters significantly influence the morphology and mechanical properties of silk fibroin nanofibers.
• Optimized silk fibroin nanofibers show potential for biomedical applications, though long-term cell interaction requires further investigation.
• The study provides insights into tailoring silk fibroin nanofiber properties for specific biomedical needs.