title: Scaffolds Containing Spirulina sp. LEB 18 Biomass: Development, Characterization and Evaluation of In Vitro Biodegradation.
abstract: Polymer nanofibers are nanomaterials that can be used as scaffolds in tissue engineering. The objective of this study was to develop, characterize and evaluate the in vitro degradation of a biomaterial consisting of nanofibers produced from biodegradable and biocompatible polymers with potential applications as a scaffold for tissue regeneration and containing Spirulina sp. LEB 18 biomass as the bioactive compound. The polymers used were poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) and polycaprolactone. The polymeric solutions exhibited sufficiently high viscosity to produce uniform nanofibers with diameters between 335 and 617 nm. The applied conditions were as follows: a voltage of 25 kV, a distance from the capillary to the collector of 120 mm, a capillary diameter of 0.80 mm, and 12% polycaprolactone and a blend of 5% polycaprolactone and 10% poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate). The biomass was incorporated into the nanofibers at a concentration of 3%, and the incorporation was confirmed using confocal microscopy. The nanofibers were characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, which showed that the addition of biomass did not alter the thermal properties of the biomaterial. The addition of biomass improved the tensile strength and elongation of the scaffolds compared with those produced with polymers alone. A biodegradation assay showed enzymatic action toward the biomaterial, simulating the behavior of natural tissue. Based on the analysis, it was concluded that the scaffolds that were produced have the potential to be applied in the field of tissue regeneration as biomaterials with pharmacological properties.
authors.forename: Daiane Angelica
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Schmatz
authors.forename: Livia Da Silva
authors.initials: Lda S
authors.lastname: Uebel
authors.forename: Suelen Goettems
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kuntzler
authors.forename: Cristiana Lima
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Dora
authors.forename: Jorge Alberto Vieira
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Michele Greque
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: de Morais
mesh_terms: D018533:Biomass; D002384:Catalysis; D057139:Nanofibers / Q000191:economics*; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry*; D053545:Spirulina / Q000737:chemistry*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds / Q000737:chemistry; D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; C052620:poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-co-(3-hydroxyvalerate); D000094122:Polyhydroxybutyrates; C016240:polycaprolactone