Development and characterization of a new polymer blend (natural rubber latex / polylactic acid) for biomedical applications

• Grant number: 16/09736-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2016
• End date: June 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Biomedical Engineering - Medical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Rondinelli Donizetti Herculano
• Grantee: Mariana Biondi Cesar
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/20089-0 - Enhancing the biological performance of a new polymer blend (natural rubber latex and poly lactic acid) through surface modifications for bone regeneration, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

Natural Rubber Latex Membranes (NRL) extracted from the Hevea brasiliensis, has been of great importance in areas such as medicine and bioengineering, due to latex ability to stimulate angiogenesis, cell adhesion and the formation of extracellular matrix, besides acting as a physical barrier to infectious agents, characteristics which makes it interesting for applications such as prostheses and medical grafts. The biodegradability of biomaterials is a major factor for its users do not require medical intervention to remove them. However, the biodegradability of latex is not significant when compared to other polymers used for the development of materials with biomedical applications. This project aims to improve the biodegradability and subsequent bioabsorption latex membranes associating them with the polylactic acid, a polymer which has properties such as bioresorbability and biocompatibility, in addition to biodegradability, low toxicity and low cost is the most studied in biomedical, pharmaceutical and environmental fields. The membranes will be characterized by tests of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), mechanical strength, mass loss, permeability and biological characterization by indirect cytotoxicity (MTT), which cover the biological, chemical and physical fields.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CESAR, MARIANA BIONDI; BORGES, FELIPE AZEVEDO; BILCK, ANA PAULA; YAMASHITA, FABIO; PAULINO, CRISTIANE GARCIA; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI DONIZETTI. Development and Characterization of Natural Rubber Latex and Polylactic Acid Membranes for Biomedical Application. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, OCT 2019. (16/09736-8, 17/19603-8)

CESAR, MARIANA BIONDI; POLI, HAMISH; PIAZZA, RODOLFO DEBONE; COSTA MARQUES, RODRIGO FERNANDO; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI DONIZETTI; GRONDAHL, LISBETH. Dispersion of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles in natural rubber latex and poly lactic acid based matrices. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, v. 139, n. 20, p. 15-pg., 2022-01-28. (17/19603-8, 16/09736-8, 17/16324-0)

CESAR, MARIANA BIONDI; BORGES, FELIPE AZEVEDO; BILCK, ANA PAULA; YAMASHITA, FABIO; PAULINO, CRISTIANE GARCIA; HERCULANO, RONDINELLI DONIZETTI. Development and Characterization of Natural Rubber Latex and Polylactic Acid Membranes for Biomedical Application. JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT, v. 28, n. 1, p. 11-pg., 2019-10-31. (16/09736-8, 17/19603-8)