Potential of electrospun core-shell structured gelatin-chitosan nanofibers for biomedical applications.

Coaxial electrospinning is an upcoming technology that has emerged from the conventional electrospinning process in order to realize the production of nanofibers of less spinnable materials with potential applications. The present work focuses on the production of chitosan nanofibers in a benign route, using natural polymer as core template, mild solvent system and naturally derived cross-linkers. Nanofibers with chitosan as shell are fabricated by coaxial electrospinning with highly spinnable gelatin as core using aqueous acetic acid as solvent. For maintaining the biocompatibility and structural integrity of the core-shell nanofibers, cross-linking is carried out using naturally derived cross-linking agents, dextran aldehyde and sucrose aldehyde. The biological evaluation of gelatin/chitosan mat is carried out using human osteoblast like cells. The results show that the cross-linked core-shell nanofibers are excellent matrices for cell adhesion and proliferation.

Graphene oxide decorated electrospun gelatin nanofibers: Fabrication, properties and applications.

Gelatin nanofiber fabricated by electrospinning process is found to mimic the complex structural and functional properties of natural extracellular matrix for tissue regeneration. In order to improve the physico-chemical and biological properties of the nanofibers, graphene oxide is incorporated in the gelatin to form graphene oxide decorated gelatin nanofibers. The current research effort is focussed on the fabrication and evaluation of physico-chemical and biological properties of graphene oxide-gelatin composite nanofibers. The presence of graphene oxide in the nanofibers was established by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We report the effect of incorporation of graphene oxide on the mechanical, thermal and biological performance of the gelatin nanofibers. The tensile strength of gelatin nanofibers was increased from 8.29±0.53MPa to 21±2.03MPa after the incorporation of GO. In order to improve the water resistance of nanofibers, natural based cross-linking agent, namely, dextran aldehyde was employed. The cross-linked composite nanofibers showed further increase in the tensile strength up to 56.4±2.03MPa. Graphene oxide incorporated gelatin nanofibers are evaluated for bacterial activity against gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria and cyto compatibility using mouse fibroblast cells (L-929 cells). The results indicate that the graphene oxide incorporated gelatin nanofibers do not prevent bacterial growth, nevertheless support the L-929 cell adhesion and proliferation.

Electrospun gelatin nanofibers: a facile cross-linking approach using oxidized sucrose.

Gelatin nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning with minimal toxicity from solvents and cross-linking agents. Electrospinning was carried out using a solvent system based on water and acetic acid (8:2, v/v). Acetic acid concentration was kept as minimum as possible to reduce the toxic effects. Electrospun gelatin nanofibers were cross-linked with oxidized sucrose. Sucrose was oxidized by periodate oxidation to introduce aldehyde functionality. Cross-linking with oxidized sucrose could be achieved without compromising the nanofibrous architecture. Cross-linked gelatin nanofibers maintained the fibrous morphology even after keeping in contact with aqueous medium. The morphology of the cross-linked nanofibrous mats was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Oxidized sucrose cross-linked gelatin nanofibers exhibited improved thermal and mechanical properties. The nanofibrous mats were evaluated for cytotoxicity and cell viability using L-929 fibroblast cells. The results confirmed that oxidized sucrose cross-linked gelatin nanofibers were non-cytotoxic towards L-929 cells with good cell viability.

Modified dextran cross-linked electrospun gelatin nanofibres for biomedical applications.

Electrospun gelatin nanofibres attract attention of bioengineering arena because of its excellent biocompatibility and structural resemblance with native extracellular matrix. In this study, we have developed gelatin nanofibres using an innovative cross-linking approach to minimize cytotoxic effects. Gelatin was dissolved in water:acetic acid (8:2, v/v) solution and electrospun to form nanofibres with diameter in the range of 156 ± 30 nm. The nanofibres were cross-linked with a modified polysaccharide, namely, dextran aldehyde (DA). Cross-linking with DA could be achieved without compromising the fibrous architecture. DA cross-linked gelatin nanofibres maintained the fibrous morphology in aqueous medium. These mats exhibit improved mechanical properties and gradual degradation behaviour. The nanofibres were evaluated for cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, viability, morphology and proliferation using L-929 fibroblast cells. The results confirmed that DA cross-linked mats were non cytotoxic towards L-929 cells with good cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation.