Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Moreover, protein nanofibres easily lose their fibrous forms in
an aqueous medium. Accordingly, they need to be cross-linked in
order to retain proper structural stability. The stability of pro-
teins in an aqueous medium can be achieved by blending them
with a hydrophobic polymer, such as PHBV, PLA, PLGA, PCL, or
PLGA.
13.4 Typical PHBV/Protein Nanocomposite Preparation
Several examples of PHBV/proteins nanocomposites prepared by
the blending method have been discussed here briefly on the basis
of selected publishedresearch studies.
13.4.1
Electrospun PHBV/Collagen Composite
Nanofibrous Scaffolds
PHBV,acopolymerofmicrobialpolyester,isoneofthemostpromis-
ing materials for tissue engineering. It is a biodegradable, bio-
compatible, nontoxic, and thermoplastic polyester that is produced
by bacteria. PHBV is being developed and commercialized as an
idealsubstitutefornonbiodegradablepolymericmaterialsinregard
to commodity applications, due to its biodegradability and easy
processability. On the other hand, collagen is the main protein of
connective tissue in animals, as well as the most abundant protein
found in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole
body's protein content. Collagen fibers are a major component of
the extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports most tissues and gives
the cells a structure from the outside.
Meng
et al
.
16
prepared PHBV-Col composite nanofibrous scaf-
folds by electrospinning. To prepare a PHBV-Col nanocomposite,
PHBV and type I collagen were dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-
2-isopropanol (HFIP). HFIP was chosen as a solvent because both
PHBV and collagen are soluble in it. The mixed polymer solution
was then delivered to a 20-gauge metal needle connected to a
high-voltage power supply. Upon the application of high voltage, a
jetoffluidwasejectedfromtheneedle.Asthejetacceleratedtoward
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