Sericin and Xanthan gum-based biopolymer films with enhanced stretchability and cell-proliferation capability

Sericin (SER), a well-known globular protein, has garnered considerable interest owing to its biological activity and its availability as a by-product from the silk industry. It is a promising option for the synthesis of biomaterials due to its many therapeutic applications. However, the applicability of Sericin films is limited due to its inherent brittle nature. In this study, we have investigated a novel combination of Sericin (SER) and Xanthan gum (XG) as a plasticizer to create a Sericin-based film with enhanced mechanical and biological performance. This newly developed SER/XG film obtained via physical gelation route, have demonstrated excellent mechanical features in wet state. Therefore, we performed in-situ gelation rheology to correlate the structural features of critical gel (early stage percolation network) with the mechanical properties of the film. Such analysis suggests that the presence of XG suppresses the kinetic arrest of protein in the form of aggregates, leading to significant improvement in the mechanical performance of films. In order to fully comprehend the synergistic SER/XG relationship towards film-forming capabilities, FTIR spectra were also examined. Additionally, these films showed remarkable cell adhesion and proliferation. Finally, the cytocompatibility, hemolysis, and cell-proliferation staining tests carried out to examine the film's in vitro use to highlight the potential of these SER/XG composites as a sustainable material for biomedical applications.