ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:Silk fibroin as natural biological macromolecules has good biocompatibility, but it is difficult to make the three-dimensional scaffold with uniform structure because of its higher crystalization performance and bigger brittleness. OBJECTIVE:To improve the crystalization of silk fibroin through the addition of chitosan, and to get three-dimensional tissue engineering scaffolds with better mechanical strength. METHODS: CaCl2/CH3CH2OH/H2 RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The introduction of chitosan could improve the properties of scaffolds. The porosity of the composite scaffold with lower porosity was more uniform and orderly with higher content of O ternary solution was used to dissolve silkworm cocoon to extract silk fibroin and form solution. Silk fibroin solution and chitosan solution were mixed according to different mixing ratios of 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, respectively, and then porous silk protein/chitosan scaffolds were prepared by freeze-drying method and treated by methanol. Scaffold morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy, the chemical structure and crystaline state of the scaffolds were characterized through infrared spectrum and X-ray diffraction test, respectively. Also, the porosity and water uptake were tested and periodic cycle compression mechanical properties under the water environment were determined. chitosan. When the mixture rate of chitosan and silk fibroin was 1:2, the water uptake rate was the highest in the composite scaffolds, and also higher than that of the silk fibroin scaffold but lower than that of the chitosan scaffold. With the increase of silk fibroin, the composite scaffolds had better elasticity and stronger ability to maintain the shape.