THE FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D POROUS SERICIN/FIBROIN BLENDED SCAFFOLDS

Objective: To explore how to fabricate the three-dimensional (3D) porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds for the first time. Methods: The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds were fabricated by salt leaching method, its morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), its structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), its mechanical property was characterized by resistance to mechanical compression and rebound/compressed ratio, protease XIV was used to tested its degradation in vitro, MTT assay was used to quantitatively analyze the PC12 cells' viability co cultured with its extraction fluid. Results: Varying the ratios of sericin/fibroin and the particle sizes of granular NaCl used in the process, leads to the control of morphological and functional properties of the scaffolds. The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds had homogeneous and interconnected pores which controlled by the particle sizes of granular NaCl, shared similar crystal structure of beta-sheet with the natural silk, importantly, and had excellent mechanical properties. MTT assay results showed that the sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds also had good biocompatibility. Conclusion: The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds provide useful properties as control of pore size, degradability, excellent mechanical property, and good biocompatibility, which substantiated the potential of it for use in tissue engineering applications.