High-intensity ultrasound-assisted formation of cellulose nanofiber scaffold with low and high lignin content and their cytocompatibility with gingival fibroblast cells

Author(s)

Huerta, Raquel Razzera ^[1] ; Silva, Eric Keven ^[1] ; Ekaette, Idaresit ^[1] ; El-Bialy, Tarek ^[2] ; Saldana, Marleny D. A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Alberta, Dept Agr Food & Nutr Sci, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5 - Canada

^[2] Univ Alberta, Fac Med & Dent, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1 - Canada

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY; v. 64, JUN 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Cellulose nanofiber (CNF) hydrogels with low lignin (8%) (LL-CNF) and high lignin (18%) (HL-CNF) content were produced at nominal powers of 240, 720 and 1200 W using high-intensity ultrasound technology (HIUS). Freeze-dried CNF hydrogels were evaluated as scaffolds for gingival fibroblast cells proliferation aiming biomedical applications. HIUS processing improved the dispersibility of the CNF and increased the water retention value by more than 5 times. The LL-CNF had a maximum fibrillation yield of 46 wt.%, whereas the HL-CNF had a maximum fibrillation yield of 40 wt.% at nominal power of >= 720 W. Regardless of the lignin content, the CNF hydrogels exhibited a typical elastic gel-like behavior with the highest elasticity of 263 Pa. After freeze-drying, the CNF aerogels had porosity >= 96.8%, and swelling capacity up to 42.1 g PBS/g aerogel. Moreover, the cell proliferation assay showed no differences in proliferation among the LL-CNF and HL-CNF scaffolds up to 11 days. Therefore, CNF scaffolds prepared with lignin content up to 18% present promising application in the biomedical field. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 18/14550-6 - Non-thermal processing of functional beverage using supercritical carbon dioxide technology and high-pressure processing
• Grantee: Eric Keven Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor