Search Results (2)

The development of autoclavable hydrogels has been driven by the need for materials that can withstand the rigors of sterilization without compromising their properties or functionality. Many conventional hydrogels cannot withstand autoclave treatment owing to the breakdown of their composition or structure under the high-temperature and high-pressure environment of autoclaving. Here, the effect of autoclaving on the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of bovine serum albumin methacryloyl (BSAMA) cryogels at three protein concentrations (3, 5, and 10%) was extensively studied. We found that BSAMA cryogels at three concentrations remained little changed after autoclaving in terms of gross shape, pore structure, and protein secondary structure. Young’s modulus of autoclaved BSAMA cryogels (BSAMA^A) at low concentrations (3 and 5%) was similar to that of BSAMA cryogels, whereas 10% BSAMA^A exhibited a higher Young’s modulus value, compared with 10% BSAMA. Interestingly, BSAMA^A cryogels prolonged degradation. Importantly, cell viability, drug release, and hemolytic behaviors were found to be similar among the pre- and post-autoclaved cryogels. Above all, autoclaving proved to be more effective in sterilizing BSAMA cryogels from bacteria contamination than UV and ethanol treatments. Thus, autoclavable BSAMA cryogels with uncompromising properties would be useful for biomedical applications. Full article

A crucial method for adding new functions to current biomaterials for biomedical applications has been surface functionalization via molecular design. Mussel-inspired polydopamine (PDA) has generated much attention as a facile method for the functionalization of biomaterials because of its substantial independence in deposition, beneficial cell interactions, and significant responsiveness aimed at secondary functionalization. Because of their porous structure, the bovine serum albumin methacryloyl (BSAMA)-BM cryogels were functionalized with PDA (BM-PDA), which may reproduce the architecture and biological purpose of the natural extracellular environment. Excellent antioxidative and antibacterial qualities, improved mineralization, and better cell responsiveness were all demonstrated by BM-PDA. BM-PDA scaffolds maintained their linked and uniform pores after functionalization, which can make it easier for nutrients to be transported during bone repair. As a result, hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated BM* and BM-PDA* cryogels were created through successive mineralization with the goal of mineralized bone tissue repair. The heterogeneous nucleation and surface roughness contributed to rod-like apatite production in BM-PDA* cryogels whereas BM* cryogels were made up of plate-like HA morphologies. Analysis results showed that after five cycles, the mineral contents were around 57% and the HA units remained equally dispersed on the surface of BM-PDA* with a Ca/P ratio of 1.63. Other natural polymer-based cryogels can be coated using this general, rapid, and simple PDA coating technique and utilized as implants for bone tissue engineering. Future clinical uses of albumin cryogels for bone tissue engineering will advance as a result of additional in-vivo testing of such PDA-coated cryogels. Full article