The fragility of silk fibroin film is a drawback to being used as a barrier membrane. Semi-resorbable barrier membranes maintain function longer than a resorbable membrane and no need to be removed. The study aimed to fabricate semi-resorbable membranes using silk fibroin with glycerol plasticizer (Group A), immobilized with fish collagen (Group B), and then characterized, in vitro biocompatibility tested, and compared with a commercial collagen membrane (Group C). Group B showed more roughness (0.2155 µm) than Group A (0.1424 µm). Group A was more hydrophilic (76.75° ± 3.07°) and more stiffness (28.93% ± 15.56%) than Group B (112.67° ± 1.94°, 42.10% ± 11.46%) and C (54.79% ± 13.44%) without significant difference. Group C had a significantly higher ( p < 0.05) swelling degree and less degradation rate than others. Group A showed significantly highest ( p < 0.05) cell proliferation. Group C showed more alkaline phosphatase activity than others but no significant difference in osteocalcin and Alizarin Red activity on day 21. The semi-resorbable membrane based on silk fibroin-glycerol possessed good physical and mechanical properties, and well-supported osteoblastic cell proliferation and differentiation.

Background: A collagen membrane has been the most widely used resorbable barrier membrane in guided bone regeneration, however, a membrane is collapsible and fast degradation. Silk fibroin has been introduced for improving the properties of a membrane due to its high mechanical strength, low immunogenic responses, and economical advantage. Objectives: This study aimed to fabricate a resorbable barrier membrane using the composite of silk fibroin and fish collagen materials. Methods: A silk fibroin film was made of Bombyx Mori silk and immobilised with collagen from brown-banded bamboo shark skin by chemical cross-linked. The silk fibroin films were hydrated prior tensile test to select suitable formula before immobilisation with collagen. Then physical and mechanical properties were evaluated to verify characteristics of a barrier membrane compared with a commercial collagen membrane. The morphology and structure of samples were characterised by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The hydrophobichydrophilic surface was assessed by water contact angle. Findings: The SEM examination demonstrated collagen fibril structure covering silk fibroin film and differed from silk fibroin film that showed smooth surface. The AFM demonstrated that immobilised collagen on silk fibroin film showed rougher surface with fibrils covering. The FTIR showed spectrum of peptide bonds. The immobilised collagen on silk fibroin film demonstrated more hydrophobic surface than silk fibroin film. Conclusion: The in-house immobilised collagen on silk fibroin film has been developed at an economic cost and possesses physical properties of a barrier membrane used for guided bone regeneration.