Enhancing the stability of albumin foam-based support baths using pectin for embedded bioprinting

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Bioprinting Technology

Background:

• Embedded bioprinting fabricates complex cell-laden structures using bioinks and support baths.
• Current support materials face limitations in stability and nutrient/oxygen delivery, hindering print duration and fidelity.
• Albumin-based foams offer permeability but degrade rapidly, limiting their practical application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To stabilize albumin-based foams using pectin for enhanced embedded bioprinting applications.
• To evaluate the impact of pectin incorporation on foam properties and print fidelity.
• To assess the biocompatibility and performance of pectin-stabilized foams as support baths.

Main Methods:

• Formulation and characterization of albumin foams with varying pectin concentrations (A8, A8P1, A8P2).
• Evaluation of foam stability, bubble morphology, rheology, and physicochemical properties.
• Embedded printing of chitosan hydrogels and assessment of cell viability and microenvironment conditions.

Main Results:

• Pectin incorporation significantly improved foam stability by delaying drainage and bubble coalescence.
• Pectin-stabilized foams maintained essential shear-thinning and recovery rheological properties.
• Embedded printing of chitosan into multilayered structures with high fidelity was achieved.
• Pectin did not compromise biocompatibility; A8P1 offered superior performance to conventional FRESH baths during extended incubation.

Conclusions:

• Pectin-stabilized albumin foams provide a robust, biocompatible, and self-removable support system for embedded bioprinting.
• This approach overcomes limitations of current support materials, enabling longer print durations and improved fidelity.
• The stabilized foams broaden the range of printable bioinks and advance tissue engineering applications.