3D Filaments Based on Polyhydroxy Butyrate-Micronized Bacterial Cellulose for Tissue Engineering Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Polymer Science

Background:

• Poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is a biodegradable polymer with potential for biomedical applications.
• Bacterial Cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer known for its biocompatibility and mechanical properties.
• Combining PHB and BC could lead to novel biomaterials for tissue regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To produce and characterize 3D-printable scaffolds using PHB and varying concentrations of micronized BC.
• To evaluate the thermal properties and chemical composition of the PHB/BC biocomposite filaments.
• To assess the cytocompatibility and cell-adhesion capabilities of the fabricated scaffolds for tissue engineering.

Main Methods:

• Filaments were fabricated using 3D printing with PHB and 0.25-2.00% BC.
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to analyze chemical composition.
• Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) was employed to study thermal degradation behavior.
• Biological assays were conducted to evaluate non-cytotoxicity and cell anchorage.

Main Results:

• Biocomposite filaments predominantly contained PHB functional groups, confirmed by FTIR.
• Increased BC concentration slightly decreased the peak degradation temperature of PHB, but remained suitable for 3D printing.
• The PHB/BC scaffolds demonstrated non-cytotoxicity and provided sites for cell attachment.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printable scaffolds composed of PHB and BC can be successfully fabricated.
• The developed scaffolds exhibit favorable thermal properties and biocompatibility for tissue engineering.
• These PHB/BC scaffolds represent a promising new material for regenerative medicine applications.