Sterilization by Ozone: Effects on Electrospun Polycaprolactone Membrane Properties and Cell Viability

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Surface Chemistry

Background:

• Electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) membranes mimic the extracellular matrix, offering potential for cell growth.
• Developing effective sterilization methods is crucial for biomedical applications of PCL scaffolds.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize ozone-sterilized electrospun PCL membranes for cell growth.
• To evaluate the impact of ozone sterilization on PCL membrane properties and biocompatibility.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of PCL membranes via electrospinning.
• Ozone sterilization at room temperature.
• Characterization using SEM, contact angle, UV-Vis, DSC, TGA, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and in vitro cell assays.

Main Results:

• Uniform PCL fibers (403 ± 100 nm diameter) were obtained.
• Ozone sterilization ensured membrane sterility without affecting hydrophobicity or chemical integrity (FTIR, Raman).
• High cell viability (>97%) and adhesion were observed, confirming biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Ozone sterilization is an effective method for PCL membranes, preserving their structure and biocompatibility.
• Electrospun PCL membranes are suitable scaffolds for biomedical applications like tissue engineering and wound healing.