Design and characterization of bio-elastomers containing biomaterials for tissue engineering application

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Poly(glycerol-sebacate)-co-Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PGS-co-PHB) is a promising biodegradable elastomer.
• Bioglass (BG) nanoparticles can enhance the properties of biomaterials.
• Tissue engineering requires materials that support cell growth and have antimicrobial properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate a novel bio-elastomer composite film based on PGS-co-PHB incorporating varying concentrations of bioglass 45S5 (BG) nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the physicochemical, mechanical, biodegradability, biocompatibility, antibacterial, and bioactivity properties of the developed composite films.
• To assess the potential of these composite films for tissue engineering applications.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PGS-co-PHB/BG composite films via green polycondensation polymerization.
• Characterization using FTIR, 1H NMR, SEM, EDX, contact angle, and DMTA.
• Assessment of biodegradability, biocompatibility (MTT assay, SEM), antibacterial activity (disk diffusion), and bioactivity (SBF immersion, XRD, SEM).

Main Results:

• Incorporation of BG nanoparticles improved hydrophilicity, reducing water contact angle to 63.46°.
• Composite films demonstrated high cell viability (approx. 94%) and excellent cell morphology (well-spread L929 fibroblasts).
• Enhanced antibacterial activity was observed with increasing BG content, and hydroxyapatite layer formation confirmed bioactivity.

Conclusions:

• The developed PGS-co-PHB/BG composite films show excellent support for cell growth and proliferation.
• These antibacterial and bioactive composite films are promising candidates for advanced tissue engineering applications.