Abstract
Chitosan with a molecular weight (MW) of 104 Da and 13% degree of acetylation (DA) was extracted from the mycelia of the fungus Gongronella butleri USDB 0201 grown in solid substrate fermentation and used to prepare scaffolds by the freeze-drying method. The mechanical and biological properties of the fungal chitosan scaffolds were evaluated and compared with those of scaffolds prepared using chitosans obtained from shrimp and crab shells and squid bone plates (MW 105-106 Da and DA 10-20%). Under scanning electron microscopy, it was observed that all scaffolds had average pore sizes of approximately 60-90 μm in diameter. Elongated pores were observed in shrimp chitosan scaffolds and polygonal pores were found in crab, squid and fungal chitosan scaffolds. The physico-chemical properties of the chitosans had an effect on the formation of pores in the scaffolds, that consequently influenced the mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds. Fungal chitosan scaffolds showed excellent mechanical, water absorption and lysozyme degradation properties, whereas shrimp chitosan scaffolds (MW 106Da and DA 12%) exhibited the lowest water absorption properties and lysozyme degradation rate. In the evaluation of biocompatibility of chitosan scaffolds, the ability of fibroblast NIH/3T3 cells to attach on all chitosan scaffolds was similar, but the proliferation of cells with polygonal morphology was faster on crab, squid and fungal chitosan scaffolds than on shrimp chitosan scaffolds. Therefore fungal chitosan scaffold, which has excellent mechanical and biological properties, is the most suitable scaffold to use as a template for tissue regeneration.
Highlights
Chitin is a copolymer of N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine residues linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds
Chitosan scaffolds (CTS) were prepared using chitosans obtained from shells of shrimps (SHCTS)
Elongated pores were observed in the SHCTS and CRCTS and polygonal pores were observed in the CRCTS, SQCTS and FCTS
Summary
Chitin is a copolymer of N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine residues linked by β-1,4-glycosidic bonds. Chitosan is the deacetylated form of chitin. Chitin usually refers to a copolymer with a degree of acetylation (DA) of more than 40% [i.e., degree of deacetylation (DD) of less than 60%] and insoluble in dilute acids. It has been used to prepare a variety of forms such as powders, hydrogels, fibers, membranes, beads and porous scaffolds that have been tested in many medical and biological applications [12,13,14,15]. Chitosan scaffolds have been prepared by the freeze drying and freeze gelation methods and by a 3-axis robotic arm dispensing system and their mechanical and biological properties have been characterized [8,13,15,16,17,18,19,20,21]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
