Nanofibrillated Cellulose-Based Aerogels Functionalized with Tajuva (Maclura tinctoria) Heartwood Extract.

Rodrigo Coldebella,Cristiane Pedrazzi,Jalel Labidi,Camila Berger,Henrique W Dalla Costa,André L Missio,Marina Gentil,Rafael A Delucis

doi:10.3390/polym13060908

Abstract

Aerogels are 3-D nanostructures of non-fluid colloidal interconnected porous networks consisting of loosely packed bonded particles that are expanded throughout their volume by gas and exhibit ultra-low density and high specific surface area. Cellulose-based aerogels can be obtained from hydrogels through a drying process, replacing the solvent (water) with air and keeping the pristine three-dimensional arrangement. In this work, hybrid cellulose-based aerogels were produced and their potential for use as dressings was assessed. Nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC) hydrogels were produced by a co-grinding process in a stone micronizer using a kraft cellulosic pulp and a phenolic extract from Maclura tinctoria (Tajuva) heartwood. NFC-based aerogels were produced by freeze followed by lyophilization, in a way that the Tajuva extract acted as a functionalizing agent. The obtained aerogels showed high porosity (ranging from 97% to 99%) and low density (ranging from 0.025 to 0.040 g·cm−3), as well a typical network and sheet-like structure with 100 to 300 μm pores, which yielded compressive strengths ranging from 60 to 340 kPa. The reached antibacterial and antioxidant activities, percentage of inhibitions and water uptakes suggest that the aerogels can be used as fluid absorbers. Additionally, the immobilization of the Tajuva extract indicates the potential for dentistry applications.

Highlights

One of the main technological fields in pharmaceutical research deals with the production of new multifunctional materials for the immobilization and controlled release of drugs according to the severity of each targeted injury
Nanofibrilated cellulose (NFC) is a broadly flexible interconnected web-like fibril network produced through a mechanical process and composed of both crystalline and amorphous regions with length greater than
The NFC and alginate can be considered inert, since they did not show bactericidal action. Such results were similar to those published by Lamounier and co-workers [29], who investigated two Tajuva extracts and reported that these extracts were effective against six bacteria, namely Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus mitis, Prevotella nigrescens, Actinomyces naeslundii, and Porphyromonas gingivalis

Summary

Introduction

One of the main technological fields in pharmaceutical research deals with the production of new multifunctional materials for the immobilization and controlled release of drugs according to the severity of each targeted injury. For Gustaite and co-workers [1], unlike traditional dressings, modern bandages must go beyond preventing wound infection, accelerating their healing process. According to Rydzkowski and co-workers (2019) [2], personalized dressings should be effective in inhibiting bacterial growth during wound healing. Plant derivatives, such as (micro/nano)fibrillated cellulose (NFC), have been used in biomedical engineering due to their low toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility [3,4]. NFC is a broadly flexible interconnected web-like fibril network produced through a mechanical process and composed of both crystalline and amorphous regions with length greater than.

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Results

Conclusion