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Waste print paper generated cellulose-chitosan composite film for cell attachment application
Neha R Thakare1, Runjun Duarah2, Devpratim Koch3
1Chemical Engineering Group and Centre for Petroleum Research CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat, Assam, 785006, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
Waste print paper can be transformed into chitosan-cellulose composite films for biomedical uses. These novel films exhibit enhanced strength, hydrophilicity, and support cell growth, proving non-toxic for tissue engineering applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Growing demand for sustainable products from renewable resources.
- Exploration of waste print paper for novel applications beyond packaging.
- Limited research on utilizing waste paper in tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of waste print paper for tissue engineering.
- To prepare and characterize chitosan-cellulose composite films.
- To evaluate the cytocompatibility of these composite films.
Main Methods:
- Alkali treatment of waste print paper to obtain cellulose pulp.
- Preparation of chitosan-cellulose composite films with glycerol as a plasticizer.
- Characterization using XRD, tensile strength testing, swelling ratio, and cell culture studies.
Main Results:
- Chitosan-cellulose composite films exhibited an amorphous nature.
- Films showed a 10% increase in tensile strength and were hydrophilic compared to pure chitosan.
- The composite films were transparent, flexible, non-adhesive, and possessed a high swelling ratio.
- Significant L929 cell attachment, proliferation, and maintained structure were observed.
- Cell viability studies confirmed the non-toxic nature of the films.
Conclusions:
- Waste print paper is a viable renewable resource for creating chitosan-cellulose composite films.
- These films demonstrate promising properties for biomedical and tissue engineering applications.
- The developed material offers a sustainable alternative for advanced biomaterials.
