Electrospun Fibers of Polyhydroxyalkanoate/Bacterial Cellulose Blends and Their Role in Nerve Tissue Engineering

Abstract

Multimaterial blends are crucial for developing scaffolds for tissue engineering. In this study, novel blend electrospun nanofibers are created by combining short-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (SCL-PHAs), medium-chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (MCL-PHAs), and bacterial cellulose (BC) using the electrospinning technique. The resulting fibrous materials are characterized for their thermal properties, morphology, and cytocompatibility with NG108-15 neuronal cells. The fabricated blend nanofibers demonstrate good cytocompatibility, as indicated by trends in cell viability and neurite outgrowth in NG108-15 cells. Importantly, the inclusion of BC in the blend significantly improves the thermal stability of the polymer matrix, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis. This study introduces the concept of environmentally friendly and multifunctional materials, highlighting their potential for diverse applications in various scientific disciplines and industries, particularly in the field of nerve tissue engineering.