Noncovalent Sericin-Chitosan Scaffold: Physical Properties and Low Cytotoxicity Effect

Abstract

This research aims to utilize sericin, which is the waste from boiling silk cocoon, for the supramolecular scaffold preparation with chitosan. A suitable method for the self-assembled scaffold formation of sericin and chitosan at 1:1 stoichiometry is presented and the morphological and physical properties of the scaffold are studied. The effect of an alcohol/NaOH solution on the secondary structure of sericin protein within the sericin-chitosan scaffold, with adjusted pH, was investigated. Additionally, the scaffold was tested in a native phosphate buffer solution (PBS). The results show that sericin increases the porosity of scaffold while chitosan increases the rigidity. The self-assembled sericin and chitosan material is nontoxic to human cells and which can adhere and spread well on such support. For the effect of the molecular weight of chitosan (15,000 and 100,000 g/mol), the scaffold made from lower molecular weight (MW) chitosan provides a somewhat smaller porosity, but a similar swelling ratio and water uptake. On the basis of this research, sericin, which is a silk waste from the textile industry, can be utilized to produce a self-assembled scaffold with chitosan in order to increase the porosity of the scaffold. This type of scaffold is not toxic and can be used for the adhesion of fibroblast cells.

Application of sericin‐based edible coating material for postharvest shelf‐life extension and preservation of tomatoes

“…The disappearance of this band indicates its interaction with sericin in the edible film formulation. This is possible due to its low molecular weight and this behavior is typical and matches a previous report (Chollakup et al, 2020). The spectra of A. vera extract and glycerin are shown in Figure 3E,F.…”

Applications of Chitosan in Surgical and Post-Surgical Materials

“…For this, it is necessary to use a second raw material that, when combined with chitosan, spontaneously forms a scaffold structure. An example is the manufacture of hybrid scaffolds of chitosan and sericin; the positive charges present in the chitosan structure react with the negative charges of aspartic and glutamic acids that are present in the serine structure [41]. This combination also improves cell adhesion and porosity, maintaining the biocompatibility of the system.…”

Recent Progress in Processing Functionally Graded Polymer Foams

“…Such studies may also later fuel the design of hierarchical (multiscale porosity distribution) functionally graded polymer foams and composite, fiber-reinforced or polymer-blended, functionally graded polymer foams, taking bamboo as an inspiration, for instance. Furthermore, rather than being based on petrochemical-derivative polymers, exploration of bio-derivative polymers for the fabrication of functionally graded polymer foams may enable improvement in biocompatibility (for bioengineering) and biodegradability (for better end-of-life options) [ 109 , 110 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 ].…”