Abstract
Feather keratin (FK) extracted from feathers represents a valuable source of biodegradable and biocompatible polymer. The aim of this study was the development and characterization of blended films based on FK and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked by dialdehyde starch (DAS) for a potential drug release application. The compatibility of FK/PVA was improved when cross-linked by DAS: the relative crystallinity of the PVA/FK film slightly decreased, and the enthalpy value for the melting peak decreased by about 50% for the cross-linked films. The total soluble mass of all blend films in water was below 35% at 37 °C, indicating a good stability of the films in water. The results of the Rhodamine B dye (as a model drug) release tests showed that the release rates decreased with increasing DAS content. DAS-induced cross-linking improves several important properties of the FK/PVA films, such as the compactness, the compatibility, and the stability in water. These improvements offer the potential to expand the application of FK films in the biomaterial field.
Highlights
Over the last 20 years, an increased number of research publications focused on biomaterials obtained from renewable resources such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids [1,2]
Extending our previous studies [32], feather keratin (FK)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films cross-linked by dialdehyde starch (DAS) were produced and their properties were investigated
The properties of the films can be controlled by altering the ratio of PVA, FK, and DAS in the mixed system
Summary
Over the last 20 years, an increased number of research publications focused on biomaterials obtained from renewable resources such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids [1,2]. Most materials of biological origin degrade into water, carbon dioxide, and inorganic compounds, and are considered to be environmentally friendly [3]. Using biodegradable materials is considered the most effective solution for a number of environmental pollution problems caused by synthetic polymers. There are concerns that the potential source of such material could compete with food resources. There is an increasing interest in finding new sources of biomaterials that do not originate from potential food sources [4]. One of the best choices is feather keratin (FK), obtainable in large quantities from the poultry industry, which produces millions of tons of feathers annually throughout the world [5,6]
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