Biopolymers Research
Open Access

Marine biopolymers; Electrospun nanofibers; Biomedical scaffolds; Tissue engineering; Wound healing; Carrageenan; Biocompatibility; Nanofibrous scaffold

Introduction

The demand for advanced materials in biomedical applications, particularly in tissue engineering and wound healing, has led to significant interest in biopolymers. Biopolymers derived from marine sources, such as chitosan, alginate, and carrageenan, offer unique advantages due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and inherent bioactivity [1]. These marine-derived materials have been shown to possess antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing properties, making them highly suitable for medical applications. Electrospinning is a widely used technique for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds with high surface-area-to-volume ratios, tunable porosity, and nanoscale fiber diameters that closely mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native tissues [2]. The integration of marine biopolymers into electrospun nanofibers presents an opportunity to enhance the functional properties of scaffolds, potentially improving their mechanical strength, cell compatibility, and controlled release of bioactive molecules. This study investigates the incorporation of chitosan, alginate, and carrageenan into electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and evaluates their potential for use in tissue engineering and wound healing applications [3]. The focus is on understanding the effects of different marine biopolymer concentrations and electrospinning parameters on the physical, mechanical, and biological properties of the resulting scaffolds.

Results and Discussion

Fabrication and morphology of electrospun nanofibers:

Optimization of Electrospinning Parameters: The study varied polymer concentration, voltage, and flow rate to achieve uniform and continuous nanofibers. Chitosan and alginate blends required specific concentrations to ensure good electrospinnability without bead formation [4]. Morphological analysis scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the addition of marine biopolymers influenced fiber diameter and uniformity. Chitosan-containing fibers exhibited smoother surfaces, while alginate and carrageenan blends led to slightly increased fiber diameters, enhancing scaffold porosity.

Mechanical properties of nanofibrous scaffolds

Tensile Strength: Blending marine biopolymers with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or polylactic acid (PLA) improved the tensile strength of the nanofibers, making them more suitable for load-bearing applications in tissue engineering. Chitosan-PVA fibers showed a significant increase in tensile strength compared to PVA-only fibers [5, 6]. Elastic modulus the elastic modulus of the alginate-based nanofibers was higher compared to chitosan and carrageenan blends, indicating their potential application in soft tissue engineering where flexibility and resilience are required.

Bioactivity and cell compatibility

Cell Viability and Proliferation: In vitro cell culture assays using fibroblast and mesenchymal stem cells demonstrated that the nanofibrous scaffolds supported cell adhesion, viability, and proliferation. Chitosan-based nanofibers enhanced cell attachment due to their positive charge, which interacts favorably with the negatively charged cell membranes [7, 8]. Antimicrobial activity ahitosan and carrageenan-containing scaffolds exhibited antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, making them suitable for wound dressing applications where infection prevention is critical.

Controlled release of bioactive compounds

The study incorporated bioactive compounds such as growth factors and antibiotics into the nanofibers and assessed their release profiles. The marine biopolymer-based nanofibers showed a sustained release of bioactive agents over time, which is advantageous for wound healing applications [9, 10]. Influence of biopolymer type chitosan provided a faster release rate due to its porous structure, while alginate and carrageenan offered more controlled and gradual release, making them suitable for applications requiring long-term drug delivery.

Conclusion

The integration of marine biopolymers into electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds has shown great promise for enhancing the functional properties of biomedical scaffolds. The study successfully demonstrated that chitosan, alginate, and carrageenan can be used to improve the mechanical strength, bioactivity, and drug release capabilities of electrospun nanofibers. The enhanced cell compatibility and antimicrobial properties of the resulting scaffolds suggest their suitability for tissue engineering and wound healing applications. However, challenges such as optimizing the electrospinning process for consistent fiber formation and achieving scalability for industrial applications remain. Future research should focus on the in vivo evaluation of these scaffolds to assess their biocompatibility and performance in real tissue environments. Additionally, exploring the synergistic effects of combining multiple marine biopolymers could further enhance the properties of nanofibrous scaffolds, providing new opportunities for innovation in regenerative medicine.

Acknowledgement

None

Conflict of Interest

None

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