Air-jet spun PHBV/PCL blend tissue engineering scaffolds exhibit improved mechanical properties and cell proliferation

Abstract

This study aimed to optimize the preparation parameters for air-jet spun blended poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) and polycaprolactone (PCL) submicron fibrous scaffolds. Blends of PHBV and PCL were made using different weight ratios of polymers and examined for their mechanical, morphological, and biological properties. The 50/50 ratio PHBV/PCL blend scaffolds showed better overall mechanical properties compared to the scaffolds with higher PHBV content and provided better cell attachment and proliferation compared to PCL scaffolds. The incorporation of PCL improved the degree of crystallinity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of PHBV/PCL blend scaffolds. In vivo subcutaneous implantation and subsequent histological analysis of the implanted scaffolds indicated that the scaffolds were compatible with animal tissues. The findings show that air-jet spun PHBV/PCL blended scaffolds in a 50/50 ratio can be employed in many tissue engineering applications.