A novel method to prepare tussah/Bombyx mori silk fibroin-based films

Abstract

The possibility of using silk fibroin in biomaterials for tissue engineering is a subject of broad interest. In this study, Bombyx mori/tussah silk fibroin (BSF/TSF) blend films were prepared by solution casting using CaCl 2 / formic acid as a co-solvent and water as a rinse solvent. The morphology, crystallinity, thermal resistance, mechanical properties and water contact angle of the blend films as well as the biocompatibility were investigated. The BSF/TSF blend films displayed a smooth surface and specific nanostructure in their cross-section, originating from the nanofibril-preservation during fibroin dissolution. The water rinse process induced the formation of a stable b-sheet structure. The BSF film showed superior mechanical properties to the TSF film, and the blending with TSF led to a significant reduction in the strength and elasticity of blend films. However, adding the TSF component could regulate the hydrophilic properties and enhance cell growth on the blend films. The BSF/TSF blend films with specific nanostructure, stable secondary structure, appropriate mechanical properties, and good biocompatibility, are promising candidates for application in regenerative medicine.

Influence of the Casting Concentration on the Mechanical and Optical Properties of FA/CaCl2-Derived Silk Fibroin Membranes

“…et al and Zhang et al [33,37]. While all these works have a similar sequence of process steps, they focus on different aspects of the FA/CaC2 manufacturing chain [33][34][35][36][37]…”

“…et al and Zhang et al [33,37]. While all these works have a similar sequence of process steps, they focus on different aspects of the FA/CaC 2 manufacturing chain [33][34][35][36][37] [35][36][37]. However, Zhang et al previously reported on the influence of dissolution of silk fibroin in FA/CaCl 2 on the molecular weight ratio and concluded that in comparison to common dissolution methods facilitating LiBr, CaCl 2 +EtOH, Ca(NO 3 ) 2 +MeHO or LiSCN, among others, the FA/CaCl 2 solvent rather showed decreased alterations in molecular weight [45].…”

“…et al and Zhang et al [ 33 , 37 ]. While all these works have a similar sequence of process steps, they focus on different aspects of the FA/CaC 2 manufacturing chain [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. While papers such as Xue et al and Yang et al compared dissolved silk fibroin from various origins on a molecular level, Yang et al and Liu et al mainly analyzed FA/CaCl 2 -derived membranes under close examination of the different protein structures [ 35 , 36 , 37 ].…”

“…While all these works have a similar sequence of process steps, they focus on different aspects of the FA/CaC 2 manufacturing chain [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ]. While papers such as Xue et al and Yang et al compared dissolved silk fibroin from various origins on a molecular level, Yang et al and Liu et al mainly analyzed FA/CaCl 2 -derived membranes under close examination of the different protein structures [ 35 , 36 , 37 ]. However, Zhang et al previously reported on the influence of dissolution of silk fibroin in FA/CaCl 2 on the molecular weight ratio and concluded that in comparison to common dissolution methods facilitating LiBr, CaCl 2 +EtOH, Ca(NO 3 ) 2 +MeHO or LiSCN, among others, the FA/CaCl 2 solvent rather showed decreased alterations in molecular weight [ 45 ].…”

“…The aim of this study was to evaluate the production processes and the resulting properties of casted silk fibroin membranes fabricated via formic acid (FA) and calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) dissolution. In recent years there have been several works that have established this novel dissolving process using FA/CaCl 2 as an integral part of the regeneration process of silk fibroin [33][34][35][36][37]. Though this technique has recently evolved and is now recognized as a fast and cheap manufacturing method, it has scarcely been investigated so far.…”