title: Effect of the sterilization method on the properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin films.
abstract: We have compared the effects of different sterilization techniques on the properties of Bombyx mori silk fibroin thin films with the view to subsequent use for corneal tissue engineering. The transparency, tensile properties, corneal epithelial cell attachment and degradation of the films were used to evaluate the suitability of certain sterilization techniques including gamma-irradiation (in air or nitrogen), steam treatment and immersion in aqueous ethanol. The investigations showed that gamma-irradiation, performed either in air or in a nitrogen atmosphere, did not significantly alter the properties of films. The films sterilized by gamma-irradiation or by immersion in ethanol had a transparency greater than 98% and tensile properties comparable to human cornea and amniotic membrane, the materials of choice in the reconstruction of ocular surface. Although steam-sterilization produced stronger, stiffer films, they were less transparent, and cell attachment was affected by the variable topography of these films. It was concluded that gamma-irradiation should be considered to be the most suitable method for the sterilization of silk fibroin films, however, the treatment with ethanol is also an acceptable method.
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
authors.forename: Karina A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: George
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia.
authors.forename: Audra M A
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Shadforth
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia. Electronic address: traian.chirila@qei.org.au.
authors.forename: Traian V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Chirila
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Ecole Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Luminy (ESIL), Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille II, Luminy case 925 13288, Marseille, Cedex 09, France.
authors.forename: Matthieu J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Sally-Anne
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Australia.
authors.forename: Grant A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Peter W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Madden
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia; Faculty of Built Environment and Engineering, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia.
authors.forename: Dietmar W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Hutmacher
authors.affiliation: Queensland Eye Institute, 41 Annerley Road, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia; Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.
authors.forename: Damien G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Harkin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012831:Bombyx; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D002460:Cell Line; D005349:Fibroins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D013242:Sterilization; D013499:Surface Properties; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D023822:Tissue Engineering
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005349:Fibroins