Preparation of hydrophilic poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) macroporous scaffolds through enzyme-mediated modifications

Scaffolds made from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) were prepared by thermally induced phase separation from solutions in dioxane at temperatures above (23 degrees C) or below the freezing point of the solvent. At 23 degrees C, gelation occured with nano-fibrous network formation. The scaffolds prepared at -12 degrees C and -25 degrees C exhibited a highly porous morphology, with pores in the range of 3-25 mu m, caused by freezing of dioxane. The macroporous scaffolds, prepared at -12 degrees C, were treated with lipase to generate functional groups to which gelatin and glucosamine, respectively, were chemically coupled. The modified scaffolds had lower molecular weight, higher water content, lower melting temperature, and enthalpy. Cultivation of human embryonic fibroblasts on the macroporous scaffolds confirmed that the cells proliferated and adhered to the materials.