Biodegradable polymeric
biomaterials offer a significant advantage
in disposable or fast-consuming products in medical applications.
Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-
co
-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV)
is an example of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), i.e., one group of
natural polyesters that are byproducts of reactions taking place in
microorganisms in conditions with an excess carbon source. PHA polymers
are a promising material for the production of everyday materials
and biomedical applications. Due to the high number of monomers in
the group, PHAs permit modifications enabling the production of copolymers
of different compositions and with different proportions of individual
monomers. In order to change and improve the properties of polymer
fibers, PHAs are combined with either other natural and synthetic
polymers or additives of inorganic phases. Importantly, electrospun
PHBV fibers and mats showed an enormous potential in both the medical
field (tissue engineering scaffolds, plasters, wound healing, drug
delivery systems) and industrial applications (filter systems, food
packaging). This Review summarizes the current state of the art in
processing PHBV, especially by electrospinning, its degradation processes,
and biocompatibility studies, starting from a general introduction
to the PHA group of polymers.
Atopic
dermatitis (eczema) is a widespread disorder, with researchers
constantly looking for more efficacious treatments. Natural oils are
reported to be an effective therapy for dry skin, and medical textiles
can be used as an alternative or supporting therapy. In this study,
fibrous membranes from poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl
acetate) (PVB) with low and high molecular weights were manufactured
to obtain nano- and micrometer fibers
via
electrospinning
for the designed patches used as oil carriers for atopic skin treatment.
The biocompatibility of PVB patches was analyzed using proliferation
tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which combined with
a focused ion beam (FIB) allowed for the 3D visualization of patches.
The oil spreading tests with evening primrose, black cumin seed, and
borage were verified with cryo-SEM, which showed the advantage nanofibers
have over microfibers as carriers for low-viscosity oils. The skin
tests expressed the usability and the enhanced oil delivery performance
for electrospun patches. We demonstrate that through the material
nano- and microstructure, commercially available polymers such as
PVB have great potential to be deployed as a biomaterial in medical
applications, such as topical treatments for chronic skin conditions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.