Effect of cellulose nanofibers on polyhydroxybutyrate electrospun scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications

The choice of materials and preparation methods are the most important factors affecting the final characteristics of the scaffolds. In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) as a nano-additive reinforcer were selected to prepare a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) based nanocomposite mat. The PHB/CNF (PC) scaffold properties, created via the electrospinning method, were investigated and compared with pure PHB. The obtained results, in addition to a slight increment of crystallinity (from similar or equal to-46 to 53 %), showed better water contact angle (from similar or equal to-120 to 96 degrees), appropriate degradation rate (up to similar or equal to-25 % weight loss in two months), prominent biomineralization (Ca/P ratio about 1.50), and similar or equal to-89 % increment in toughness factor of PC compare to the neat PHB. Moreover, the surface roughness as an affecting parameter on cell behavior was also increased up to similar or equal to-43 % in the presence of CNFs. Eventually, not only the MTT assay revealed better human osteoblast MG63 cell viability on PC samples, but also DAPI staining and SEM results confirmed the more plausible cell spreading in the presence of cellulose nano -additive. These improvements, along with the appropriate results of ALP and Alizarin red, authenticate that the newly PC nanocomposite composition has the required efficiency in the field of bone tissue engineering.

Automated summary

The choice of materials and preparation methods are crucial for the characteristics of scaffolds. In this study, cellulose nanofibers were used as nano-additives to prepare a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) based nanocomposite scaffold. The properties of the PHB/CNF scaffold were compared with pure PHB, and the results showed improvements in crystallinity, water contact angle, degradation rate, biomineralization, toughness factor, and surface roughness. Moreover, the PC nanocomposite demonstrated better cell viability and spreading, indicating its potential in bone tissue engineering.