Advancing PHBV Biomedical Potential with the Incorporation of Bacterial Biopigment Prodigiosin

Abstract

The quest for sustainable biomaterials with excellent biocompatibility and tailorable properties has put polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) into the research spotlight. However, high production costs and the lack of bioactivity limit their market penetration. To address this, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) was combined with a bacterial pigment with strong anticancer activity, prodigiosin (PG), to obtain functionally enhanced PHBV-based biomaterials. The samples were produced in the form of films 115.6–118.8 µm in thickness using the solvent casting method. The effects of PG incorporation on the physical properties (morphology, biopolymer crystallinity and thermal stability) and functionality of the obtained biomaterials were investigated. PG has acted as a nucleating agent, in turn affecting the degree of crystallinity, thermal stability and morphology of the films. All samples with PG had a more organized internal structure and higher melting and degradation temperatures. The calculated degree of crystallinity of the PHBV copolymer was 53%, while the PG1, PG3 and PG3 films had values of 64.0%, 63.9% and 69.2%, respectively. Cytotoxicity studies have shown the excellent anticancer activity of films against HCT116 (colon cancer) cells, thus advancing PHBV biomedical application potential.

A Biodegradable Composite of Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) with Short Cellulose Fiber for Packaging

“…The bands representing the axial deformation of the C-O and C-C bonds are present at 1275, 1052 cm -1 and 979 cm -1 respectively (Figure 3), whereas this broadening and increased intensity in the bands allocated at 1050 cm -1 may suggest some interaction and presence of cellulose in the PHBV/CE composite 28,29 . Studies of PHBV loaded with performed by Yu et al 30 , Yu and Qin 31 and Ponjavic et al 32 , presented similar spectra to that observed by us.…”

Degradable Polymeric Bio(nano)materials and Their Biomedical Applications: A Comprehensive Overview and Recent Updates

“…The degradation of PHA proceeds via an abiotic route through hydrolysis of ester bonds. These novel materials find applications in orthopedics, tissue engineering, drug delivery, biomedical devices, and artificial organs [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ].…”

“…In a very recent study, a bacterial polyester PHBV and bacterial pigment Prodigiosin (PG) were produced using a simple solvent casting method [ 46 ], as illustrated in Figure 4 .…”

Advances in Functionalization of Bioresorbable Nanomembranes and Nanoparticles for Their Use in Biomedicine

“…Additionally gaining popularity as a potential drug release platform are polymeric thin films. Prodigiosin (PG), a bacterial pigment with potent anticancer properties, was coupled with poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) to create functionally improved PHBV-based biomaterials [ 236 ]. The acquired samples were made using a straightforward solvent casting technique, and had a film thickness ranging from 115.6 to 118.8 µm.…”