ABSTRACT
Reconstituted cellulose films were generated using residual bacterial cellulose membranes mechanically defibrillated (RBC fibrils) recycled following wound dressing production via a dry-cast process. Arabinogalactan (AG) extracted from Pereskia aculeata leaves and/or a xyloglucan (GHXG) from Guibourtia hymenifolia seeds were incorporating into the RBC at various compositions, and new films were created using the same process. Biocomposite properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle (CA), and X-ray diffraction measurements. The attachment and proliferation of murine L929 fibroblasts on RBC and RBC/Hydrocolloids (HD) were also evaluated. RBC films with 20-30% GHXG replacement improved film stability and the inclusion of HD increased microfiber aggregation and reduced porous regions. Changes in the hydrophilic characteristics were also observed and owing to the adhesion effect the inclusion of HD on RBC led to a statistically significant effect of the mechanical properties of films. The RBC/AG films supported L929 adhesion similar to that observed for commercial bacterial cellulose, indicating their potential use for biomedical applications.
Subject(s)
Bandages/microbiology , Cellulose/chemistry , Cellulose/pharmacology , Chemical Phenomena , Galactans/chemistry , Glucans/chemistry , Xylans/chemistry , Animals , Biocompatible Materials/chemistry , Biocompatible Materials/pharmacology , Cell Adhesion/drug effects , Cell Line , Cell Proliferation/drug effects , Membranes, Artificial , MiceABSTRACT
Mixtures of gellan gum (GL) and a xyloglucan (XGJ) extracted from Hymenaea courbaril seeds were prepared in a solution of 0.15 mol L(-1) NaCl. Rheology measurements revealed that 2.4 g L(-1) pure GL formed a brittle hydrogel, and GL-XGJ blends showed improved pseudoplastic character with higher XGJ contents. SAXS analyses showed that the Rg dimensions ranged from 1.3 to 4.9 nm, with larger values occurring as the amount of XGJ increased, and diffusion tests indicated that better diffusion of methylene blue dye was obtained in the network with a higher XGJ content. AFM topographic images of the films deposited onto mica revealed fewer heterogeneous surfaces with increased XGJ contents. The water contact angle revealed more hydrophobic character on all of the films, and the wettability decreased with increasing amounts of XGJ. Therefore, the demonstrated benefit of using XGJ blends is the production of a soft material with improved interface properties.
