Preparation, characterisation, and biocompatibility of Ganoderma lucidum fibre-based composites with polylactic acid

The thermal, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties of composite materials formed of polylactide (PLA) and natural fibres of Ganoderma lucidum fibre (GLF) were evaluated. Maleic anhydride-grafted PLA (PLA-g-MA) was used to improve the mechanical properties of PLA/GLF composites. The PLA-g-MA/GLF composites exhibited superior mechanical properties, attributed to the greater compatibility between the polymer and GLF, compared with those of PLA/GLF composites. The dispersion of GLF in the PLA-g-MA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of condensation reactions. The lower melt torque of the PLA-g-MA/GLF composites also made them more easily processed than PLA/GLF. To assess biocompatibility, normal human foreskin fibroblasts (FBs) were seeded onto each of the composite types. FB proliferation, collagen production, and cytotoxicity assays indicated greater biocompatibility on the PLA/GLF composites than on the PLA-g-MA/GLF composites. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.