title: Silk fibroin and sodium alginate blend: miscibility and physical characteristics.
abstract: Films of silk fibroin (SF) and sodium alginate (SA) blends were prepared by solution casting technique. The miscibility of SF and SA in those blends was evaluated and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that SF/SA 25/75 wt.% blends underwent microscopic phase separation, resulting in globular structures composed mainly of SF. X-ray diffraction indicated the amorphous nature of these blends, even after a treatment with ethanol that turned them insoluble in water. Thermal analyses of blends showed the peaks of degradation of pristine SF and SA shifted to intermediate temperatures. Water vapor permeability, swelling capacity and tensile strength of SF films could be enhanced by blending with SA. Cell viability remained between 90 and 100%, as indicated by in vitro cytotoxicity test. The SF/SA blend with self-assembled SF globules can be used to modulate structural and mechanical properties of the final material and may be used in designing high performance wound dressing.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, 13083-852 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Agostini
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, 13083-852 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mariana Ferreira
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, 13083-852 Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Raquel Farias
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Weska
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical Engineering, University of Campinas, UNICAMP, 13083-852 Campinas, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: beppu@feq.unicamp.br.
authors.forename: Marisa Masumi
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Beppu
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D012831:Bombyx / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D016466:CHO Cells; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry*; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D047011:Silk / Q000737:chemistry; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D047011:Silk; D014867:Water; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; D005349:Fibroins
keywords: Biomaterials; Biopolymers; Films; Phase separation