Enhancing Chitosan Fibers: A Dual Approach with Tripolyphosphate and Ursolic Acid.

Chitosan, a well-established biomaterial known for its biocompatibility, biodegradability, and bioactivity, has been the focus of extensive research in recent years. This study explores the enhancement of chitosan fibers' properties through wet impregnation with either ursolic acid (UA) or cross-linking with tripolyphosphate (TPP). In the first experiment, chitosan fibers were treated with UA, for varying immersion set points (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h). FTIR, SEM, and UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses demonstrated a chemical reaction between chitosan and UA, with stability reached after 2 h of immersion. Antibacterial testing revealed that chitosan fibers impregnated with UA exhibited significant antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, notably Staphylococcus aureus. The second experiment involved modifying chitosan fibers' surfaces with a 1% w/v TPP solution for the same periods of time (1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h). Subsequently, the investigation involved FTIR, SEM, and dynamometry analyses, which revealed successful cross-linking between chitosan and TPP ions, resulting in improved tensile strength after 2 h of immersion. This dual-approach study highlights the potential of chitosan fibers for diverse applications, from wound-healing dressings to antibacterial materials against Gram-positive bacteria.

Theoretical-Experimental Approach of Chitosan/Quaternized Chitosan Nanofibers' Behavior in Wound Exudate Media.

This study aimed to investigate the behavior of chitosan/quaternized chitosan fibers in media mimicking wound exudates to understand their capacities as wound dressing. Fiber analysis of the fibers using dynamic vapor sorption proved their ability to adsorb moisture up to 60% and then to desorb it as a function of humidity, indicating their outstanding breathability. Dissolution analyses showed that quaternized chitosan leached from the fibers in water and PBS, whereas only small portions of chitosan were solubilized in water. In media containing lysozyme, the fibers degraded with a rate determined by their composition and pH, reaching a mass loss of up to 47% in media of physiologic pH. Notably, in media mimicking the wound exudate during healing, they adsorbed moisture even when their mass loss due to biodegradation was high, whereas they were completely degraded in the media of normal tissues, indicating bioabsorbable dressing capacities. A mathematical model was constructed, which characterized the degradation rate and morphology changes of chitosan/quaternized chitosan fibers through analyses of dynamics in scale space, using the Theory of Scale Relativity. The model was validated using experimental data, making it possible to generalize it to the degradation of other biopolymeric systems that address wound healing.

Properties of Resorbable Conduits Based on Poly(L-Lactide) Nanofibers and Chitosan Fibers for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration.

New tubular conduits have been developed for the regeneration of peripheral nerves and the repair of defects that are larger than 3 cm. The conduits consist of a combination of poly(L-lactide) nanofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils. In vitro studies were conducted to assess the biocompatibility of the conduits using human embryonic bone marrow stromal cells (FetMSCs). The studies revealed good adhesion and differentiation of the cells on the conduits just one day after cultivation. Furthermore, an in vivo study was carried out to evaluate motor-coordination disorders using the sciatic nerve functional index (SFI) assessment. The presence of chitosan monofibers and chitosan composite fibers with chitin nanofibrils in the conduit design increased the regeneration rate of the sciatic nerve, with an SFI value ranging from 76 to 83. The degree of recovery of nerve conduction was measured by the amplitude of M-response, which showed a 46% improvement. The conduit design imitates the oriented architecture of the nerve, facilitates electrical communication between the damaged nerve's ends, and promotes the direction of nerve growth, thereby increasing the regeneration rate.

Pure Chitosan-Based Fibers Manufactured by a Wet Spinning Lab-Scale Process Using Ionic Liquids.

Ionic liquids offer alternative methods for the sustainable processing of natural biopolymers like chitosan. The ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BmimOAc) was successfully used for manufacturing of pure chitosan-based monofilaments by a wet spinning process at lab-scale. Commercial chitosan with 90% deacetylation degree was used for the preparation of spinning dopes with solids content of 4-8 wt.%. Rheology tests were carried out for the characterization of the viscometric properties. BmimOAc was used as a solvent and deionized water as coagulation and washing medium. Optical (scanning electron microscope (SEM), light microscope) and textile physical tests were used for the evaluation of the morphological and mechanical characteristics. The manufactured chitosan monofilaments a homogeneous structure with a diameter of ~150 µm and ~30 tex yarn count. The mechanical tests show tensile strengths of 8 cN/tex at Young's modulus up to 4.5 GPa. This work represents a principal study for the manufacturing of pure chitosan fibers from ionic liquids and provides basic knowledge for the development of a wet spinning process.

Chitosan fibers modified with HAp/ß-TCP nanoparticles.

This paper describes a method for preparing chitosan fibers modified with hydroxyapatite (HAp), tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP), and HAp/ß-TCP nanoparticles. Fiber-grade chitosan derived from the northern shrimp (Pandalus borealis) and nanoparticles of tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) suspended in a diluted chitosan solution were used in the investigation. Diluted chitosan solution containing nanoparticles of Hap/ß-TCP was introduced to a 5.16 wt% solution of chitosan in 3.0 wt% acetic acid. The properties of the spinning solutions were examined. Chitosan fibers modified with nanoparticles of HAp/ß-TCP were characterized by a level of tenacity and calcium content one hundred times higher than that of regular chitosan fibers.

Wet-spinning of magneto-responsive helical chitosan microfibers.

Helical structures can be found in nature at various length scales ranging from the molecular level to the macroscale. Due to their ability to store mechanical energy and to optimize the accessible surface area, helical shapes contribute particularly to motion-driven processes and structural reinforcement. Due to these special features, helical fibers have become highly attractive for biotechnological and tissue engineering applications. However, there are only a few methods available for the production of biocompatible helical microfibers. Given that, we present here a simple technique for the fabrication of helical chitosan microfibers with embedded magnetic nanoparticles. Composite fibers were prepared by wet-spinning and coagulation in an ethanol bath. Thereby, no toxic components were introduced into the wet-spun chitosan fibers. After drying, the helical fibers had a diameter of approximately 130 µm. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of wet-spun helices revealed that the magnetic nanoparticles agglomerated into clusters inside the fiber matrix. The helical constructs exhibited a diameter of approximately 500 µm with one to two windings per millimeter. Due to their ferromagnetic properties they are easily attracted to a permanent magnet. The results from the tensile testing show that the helical chitosan microfibers exhibited an average Young's modulus of 14 MPa. By taking advantage of the magnetic properties of the feedstock solution, the production of the helical fibers could be automated. The fabrication of the helical fibers was achieved by utilizing the magnetic properties of the feedstock solution and winding the emerging fiber around a rotating magnetic collector needle upon coagulation. In summary, our helical chitosan microfibers are very attractive for future use in magnetic tissue engineering or for the development of biocompatible actuator systems.

Wet-Spun Biofiber for Torsional Artificial Muscles.

The demands for new types of artificial muscles continue to grow and novel approaches are being enabled by the advent of new materials and novel fabrication strategies. Self-powered actuators have attracted significant attention due to their ability to be driven by elements in the ambient environment such as moisture. In this study, we demonstrate the use of twisted and coiled wet-spun hygroscopic chitosan fibers to achieve a novel torsional artificial muscle. The coiled fibers exhibited significant torsional actuation where the free end of the coiled fiber rotated up to 1155 degrees per mm of coil length when hydrated. This value is 96%, 362%, and 2210% higher than twisted graphene fiber, carbon nanotube torsional actuators, and coiled nylon muscles, respectively. A model based on a single helix was used to evaluate the torsional actuation behavior of these coiled chitosan fibers.

Biomaterials based on N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan fibers in wound dressing applications.

In the present work, N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan (TMC) fibers were synthesized successfully and the resulting quaternized materials were characterized by FTIR. The designed TMC fibers with different degree of quaternization achieved high water absorption capability. In antibacterial activity study, TMC fibers showed high antibacterial activity than chitosan fibers against the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (>63%) and gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (>99%). TMC fibers exhibited no obvious cytotoxicity to mouse embryo fibroblast cells with low extraction concentrations (<0.05g/mL). In animal wound healing test, TMC2 fibers could significantly enhance wound re-epithelialization and contraction compared with the control (chitosan fibers). In conclusion, TMC fibers have a potential to be used as wound dressing materials.

High tenacity regenerated chitosan fibers prepared by using the binary ionic liquid solvent (Gly·HCl)-[Bmim]Cl.

A binary ionic liquid system was confirmed to be a promising solvent to dissolve chitosan, and the regenerated chitosan fibers were prepared by wet and dry-wet spinning technique respectively. The SEM results show that the chitosan fibers prepared by wet spinning technique present striated surface and round cross section, and the chitosan fibers prepared by dry-wet spinning technique present smooth surface and irregular cross section. The mechanical testing results show that the regenerated chitosan fibers present relatively high tenacity, especially, these prepared by dry-wet spinning process present excellent strength and initial modulus, i.e. 2.1cN/dtex and 83.5cN/dtex, which is stronger than that of most reported chitosan fibers. The FT-IR results show that the dissolution of chitosan in the binary ionic liquid system is due to the protonation of NH2 groups in the chitosan chains. Furthermore, a possible reaction during the dissolution and regeneration process is proposed.