Air-jet spun PHBV/PCL blend tissue engineering scaffolds exhibit improved mechanical properties and cell proliferation
Sumama Nuthana Kalva, Yogesh Bharat Dalvi, Noorunnisa Khanam P, Ruby Varghese, Imran Ahammed, Robin Augustine, Anwarul Hasan
Abstract
This study aimed to optimize the preparation parameters for air-jet spun blended poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polycaprolactone (PCL) submicron fibrous scaffolds. Blends of PHBV and PCL were made using different weight ratios and examined for their mechanical, morphological, and biological properties. The 50/50 ratio PHBV/PCL blend scaffolds showed better overall mechanical properties and provided better cell attachment and proliferation compared to pure PHBV. The incorporation of PCL improved the degree of crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of PHBV/PCL blend scaffolds. In vivo subcutaneous implantation and subsequent histological analysis of the implanted scaffolds indicated that the scaffolds were compatible with animal tissues. The findings show that air-jet spun PHBV/PCL blended scaffolds in a 50/50 ratio can be employed in many tissue engineering applications.