The development of scaffold materials, such as nanoporous and nanofibrous hydrogel for biomedical applications, using green processes is a desirable approach.
Natural biopolymers have been utilized for wound dressing, owing to their bioactive compounds content, mechanical properties, biodegradability, porosity, and proper surface chemistry.
What is Silk Waste?
Silk waste includes different types of raw silks that are unwindable. Even though the composition of silk waste is very much similar to that of good silk, it cannot be utilized for the production of silk textiles.
Typically, silk waste is composed of silk fibroin (SF) core polymer (75−83%) and a sericin glue-like protein as a coating (17−25%).
SF is a natural protein of semi-crystalline structure which provides robust stiffness and impressive strength to silk.
SF has been utilized in various healthcare and biomedical products because of its biodegradability, good mechanical property, biocompatibility with human tissue, flexible morphology, drug permeability, antioxidant and hypolipidemic properties, and nontoxicity.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved SF protein from Bombyx mori silkworm for biomedical purposes.
Production of Polymeric Nanofibers by Electrospinning Method
Electrospinning is one of the most popular, simple, and scalable techniques used for producing polymeric nanofibers used for wound dressing.
Scientists have found that binary blends of SF with other materials enhance the properties of resultant scaffolds, due to the synergistic influence of both components.
Interestingly, the physiochemical properties of nanofibers can be controlled by optimizing the electrospinning parameters to attain the requirements of specific applications.
Typically, organic solvents are used in the electrospinning process due to their high dipole moment, conductivity, dielectric constant, and low surface tension. However, the majority of the organic solvents, such as dichloromethane, formic acid, and hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP), are toxic.
Very few reports are available on the production of SF nanofiber materials via electrospinning process based on SF/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and SF/ poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) in water and water/methanol systems.
However, scientists reported that the fabricated SF nanofibers are sensitive to moisture and can dissolve in the biological system before utilization.
Development of Strong Silk-Fibroin/Poly(ethylene oxide) Non-woven Nanofibers – A New Study
Generally, electrospun processes require some additives to stabilize the nanofibers after their synthesis. However, previous studies have indicated that these additives account for biological risks when used for biomedical purposes.
The new study reported on the development of an additive-free system that involves partial evaporation of the initial solving agent, which is followed by methanolic treatment to enhance the structural morphology.
The additive-free system also aids in improving the mechanical properties of the fabricated nanofibers.
Cross-linking techniques enable the nanofibrous materials to maintain the porosity and stability of the structure.
The radiation-induced crosslinking technique is known to be a green process for the production of hydrogel or scaffold. This is because the entire process, i.e., from the sample preparation to processing, is performed under liquid or solid-state.
The irradiation method utilizes γ-rays or electron beams (EBs) for sterilization of biomedical materials and production hydrogels with wide-ranging applications.
In the new study, scientists explored a dual green route to obtain strengthened SF-based nonwoven nanofibers using pure water for electrospinning and EB-assisted cross-linking technique.
For the fabrication of SF-PEO nanofibers, scientists primarily optimized the electrospinning process using SF/poly(PEO) in a pure water solution for the production of non-woven nanofibers.
Secondly, they focussed on stabilizing the dissoluble SF/ PEO non-woven nanofibers via cross-linking networks developed by a free radical reaction using EB irradiation.
Scientists revealed that this newly designed process lead to the production of cylindrical-shaped, smooth, and elongated SF-PEO nanofibers with a diameter of 169 ± 5 nm, under moderate conditions.
To achieve maximum stability in the fabricated nanofibers, the authors optimized the EB irradiation dose to be 25 kGy for cross-linking, and ~50% gel fraction.
The optimized conditions significantly improved the mechanical properties of the SF/PEO nanofiber.
The tensile strength and elongation at break were augmented and the ductility was increased approximately 22-fold.
Benefits of Silk-Fibroin/Poly(ethylene oxide) Non-woven Nanofibers
The authors reported that cross-linked SF/PEO nanofibers supported cell proliferation and were found to be non-toxic to skin fibroblast cells.
This strongly implies that this nanofiber material could be used for healthcare and biomedical purposes.
One of the important contributions of this study has been the utilization of the 3G strategy, i.e., green electrospinning, green EB irradiation process, and green renewable polymers (silk waste), for the production of non-toxic, strong, stable nanofibers, ideal for wound dressings.
Additionally, the swelling and water absorption property of the SF-PEO nanofiber could be utilized for drug entrapment and controlled release application.
News
Ryugu asteroid samples contain all DNA and RNA building blocks, bolstering origin-of-life theories
All the essential ingredients to make the DNA and RNA underpinning life on Earth have been discovered in samples collected from the asteroid Ryugu, scientists said Monday. The discovery comes after these building blocks [...]
Is Berberine Really a “Natural Ozempic”?
Often labeled a “natural Ozempic,” berberine is widely discussed as a metabolic aid. Yet research suggests its influence may lie deeper. In recent years, berberine has gained significant attention as a supposed “natural way” [...]
Viagra Ingredient Shows Promise for Rare Childhood Brain Disease in Surprising Study
A rare childhood disease with no approved treatment may have an unexpected new therapeutic candidate. Sildenafil, the active ingredient also sold under the brand name Viagra, may help reduce symptoms in people with Leigh [...]
In a first for China, Neuracle’s implantable brain-computer interface wins approval
In a landmark development, Neuracle Medical Technology has secured the country’s first-ever approval for an implantable brain-computer interface (BCI) system designed to restore hand motor function in patients with spinal cord injuries, in a [...]
A Cambridge Lab Mistake Reveals a Powerful New Way to Modify Drug Molecules
A surprising lab discovery reveals a light-powered way to tweak complex drugs faster, cleaner, and later in development. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have created a new technique for altering complex drug molecules [...]
New book from NanoappsMedical Inc – Molecular Manufacturing: The Future of Nanomedicine
This book explores the revolutionary potential of atomically precise manufacturing technologies to transform global healthcare, as well as practically every other sector across society. This forward-thinking volume examines how envisaged Factory@Home systems might enable the cost-effective [...]
Scientists Discover Simple Saliva Test That Reveals Hidden Diabetes Risk
Researchers have identified a potential new way to assess metabolic health using saliva instead of blood. High insulin levels in the blood, known as hyperinsulinemia, can reveal metabolic problems long before obvious symptoms appear. It is [...]
One Nasal Spray Could Protect Against COVID, Flu, Pneumonia, and More
A single nasal spray vaccine may one day protect against viruses, pneumonia, and even allergies. For decades, scientists have dreamed of creating a universal vaccine capable of protecting against many different pathogens. The idea [...]
New AI Model Predicts Cancer Spread With Incredible Accuracy
Scientists have developed an AI system that analyzes complex gene-expression signatures to estimate the likelihood that a tumor will spread. Why do some tumors spread throughout the body while others remain confined to their [...]
Scientists Discover DNA “Flips” That Supercharge Evolution
In Lake Malawi, hundreds of species of cichlid fish have evolved with astonishing speed, offering scientists a rare opportunity to study how biodiversity arises. Researchers have identified segments of “flipped” DNA that may allow fish to adapt rapidly [...]
Our books now available worldwide!
Online Sellers other than Amazon, Routledge, and IOPP Indigo Global Health Care Equivalency in the Age of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine and Artifcial Intelligence Global Health Care Equivalency In The Age Of Nanotechnology, Nanomedicine And Artificial [...]
Scientists Discover Why Some COVID Survivors Still Can’t Taste Food Years Later
A new study provides the first direct biological evidence explaining why some people continue to experience taste loss long after recovering from COVID-19. Researchers have uncovered specific biological changes in taste buds that could help [...]
Catching COVID significantly raises the risk of developing kidney disease, researchers find
Catching Covid significantly raises the risk of developing deadly kidney disease, research has shown. The virus was found to increase the chances that patients will develop the incurable condition by around 50 per cent. [...]
New Toothpaste Stops Gum Disease Without Harming Healthy Bacteria
Researchers have developed a targeted approach to combat periodontitis without disrupting the natural balance of the oral microbiome. The innovation could reshape how gum disease is treated while preserving beneficial bacteria. The human mouth [...]
Plastic Without End: Are We Polluting the Planet for Eternity?
The Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework calls for the elimination of plastic pollution by 2030. If that goal has been clearly set, why have meaningful measures that create real change still not been implemented? [...]
Scientists Rewire Natural Killer Cells To Attack Cancer Faster and Harder
Researchers tested new CAR designs in NK-92 cells and found the modified cells killed tumor cells more effectively, showing stronger anti-cancer activity. Researchers at the Ribeirão Preto Blood Center and the Center for Cell-Based [...]
