Lignocellulosic jute-based nanofiber composite as biomimetic tissue scaffold

The integration of natural lignocellulose with biodegradable polymers offers a sustainable approach to developing biomimetic tissue scaffold. Here, we developed a jute microfiber/polycaprolactone nanofiber (JMF/PCLNM) composite as a biomimetic scaffold to replicate the matrix environment for cellular functionality. Morphological evidence confirmed smooth, uniform, and bead-free nanofibers morphology with up to 15 wt% JMF, whereas higher JMF loadings led to bead formation, which became increasingly pronounced at 30 wt%. FTIR analysis confirmed the coexistence of both component polymers without disruption of the β-glycosidic linkages in jute cellulose. JMF addition slightly shifted and broadened PCL XRD bands, with a new 28.32° band indicating cellulose de- and recrystallization. JMF loading enhanced scaffolds' hydrophilicity, lowering the water contact angle from ~131° (PCLNM) to ~121° (JMF/PCLNM) (15 wt% JMF). JMF/PCLNM showed a marked increase in the swelling capacity, from 0.15 g/g for pristine PCLNM to 2.01 g/g for 15 wt% JMF content. A mechanism of the developed scaffolds' in vitro biodegradation was proposed, showing that JMF/PCLNM underwent hydrophilicity-driven water diffusion and ester bond hydrolysis, accompanied by dislocation of crystalline domains. In vitro assays using COS-7 fibroblast cells demonstrated low cytotoxicity, intact membrane integrity, and sustained proliferation over one week of culture. Overall, the JMF/PCLNM composite exhibits favorable structural and biological attributes, highlighting its potential as a sustainable biomimetic scaffold for soft tissue engineering applications.