Corncob Cellulose Scaffolds: A New Sustainable Temporary Implant for Cartilage Replacement

Tissue engineering using scaffolds is a promising strategy to repair damaged articular cartilage, whose self-repair is inefficient. Cellulose properties have been recognized for their application in the biomedical field. The aim of this study was to fabricate and characterize novel scaffolds based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and sustainable cellulose. Thus, the performance of corncob-derived cellulose (CC) in scaffolds as an alternative to wood cellulose (WC) was also investigated to reduce the environmental footprint. Two concentrations of CC in scaffolds were tested, 1% and 2% (w/w), and commercial WC using the same concentrations, as a control. Morphologically, all the developed scaffolds presented pore sizes of ~300 µm, 10 layers, a circular shape and well-dispersed cellulose. Thus, all of these characteristics and properties provide the manufactured scaffolds suitable for use in cartilage-replacement strategies. The use of 2% CC results in higher porosity (54.24%), which promotes cell infiltration/migration and nutrient exchange, and has similar mechanical properties to WC. As for the effects of enzymatic degradation of the scaffolds, no significant changes (p > 0.05) were observed in resistance over time. However, the obtained compressive modulus of the scaffold with 2% CC was similar to that of WC. Overall, our results suggest that the integration of 2% corncob cellulose in PCL scaffolds could be a novel way to replace wood-cellulose-containing scaffolds, highlighting its potential for cartilage-replacement strategies.