Influence of the Casting Concentration on the Mechanical and Optical Properties of FA/CaCl2-Derived Silk Fibroin Membranes

TY - JOUR

T1 - Influence of the Casting Concentration on the Mechanical and Optical Properties of FA/CaCl2-Derived Silk Fibroin Membranes

AU - Kopp, Alexander

AU - Schunck, Laura

AU - Gosau, Martin

AU - Smeets, Ralf

AU - Burg, Simon

AU - Fuest, Sandra

AU - Kröger, Nadja

AU - Zinser, Max

AU - Krohn, Sebastian

AU - Behbahani, Mehdi

AU - Köpf, Marius

AU - Lauts, Lisa

AU - Rutkowski, Rico

PY - 2020/9/13

Y1 - 2020/9/13

N2 - In this study, we describe the manufacturing and characterization of silk fibroin membranes derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori. To date, the dissolution process used in this study has only been researched to a limited extent, although it entails various potential advantages, such as reduced expenses and the absence of toxic chemicals in comparison to other conventional techniques. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of different fibroin concentrations on the process output and resulting membrane properties. Casted membranes were thus characterized with regard to their mechanical, structural and optical assets via tensile testing, SEM, light microscopy and spectrophotometry. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using BrdU, XTT, and LDH assays, followed by live-dead staining. The formic acid (FA) dissolution method was proven to be suitable for the manufacturing of transparent and mechanically stable membranes. The fibroin concentration affects both thickness and transparency of the membranes. The membranes did not exhibit any signs of cytotoxicity. When compared to other current scientific and technical benchmarks, the manufactured membranes displayed promising potential for various biomedical applications. Further research is nevertheless necessary to improve reproducible manufacturing, including a more uniform thickness, less impurity and physiological pH within the membranes.

AB - In this study, we describe the manufacturing and characterization of silk fibroin membranes derived from the silkworm Bombyx mori. To date, the dissolution process used in this study has only been researched to a limited extent, although it entails various potential advantages, such as reduced expenses and the absence of toxic chemicals in comparison to other conventional techniques. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of different fibroin concentrations on the process output and resulting membrane properties. Casted membranes were thus characterized with regard to their mechanical, structural and optical assets via tensile testing, SEM, light microscopy and spectrophotometry. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using BrdU, XTT, and LDH assays, followed by live-dead staining. The formic acid (FA) dissolution method was proven to be suitable for the manufacturing of transparent and mechanically stable membranes. The fibroin concentration affects both thickness and transparency of the membranes. The membranes did not exhibit any signs of cytotoxicity. When compared to other current scientific and technical benchmarks, the manufactured membranes displayed promising potential for various biomedical applications. Further research is nevertheless necessary to improve reproducible manufacturing, including a more uniform thickness, less impurity and physiological pH within the membranes.

U2 - 10.3390/ijms21186704

DO - 10.3390/ijms21186704

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 32933171

VL - 21

JO - INT J MOL SCI

JF - INT J MOL SCI

SN - 1661-6596

IS - 18

ER -