Effect of Keratin Waste on Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Films: Structural Characterization, Thermal Properties, and Keratinocytes Viability and Proliferation Studies

• Published in: Advances in polymer technology Vol. 2024; pp. 1 - 12
• Main Authors: Rinaldi, Gianluca, Coccia, Elena, Ferrentino, Nancy, Germinario, Chiara, Grifa, Celestino, Paolucci, Marina, Pappalardo, Daniela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi 02.05.2024; John Wiley & Sons, Inc; Wiley
• Subjects: Biomedical engineering; Calorimetry; Keratin; Polymerization; Surface active agents; Thermal properties
• ISSN: 0730-6679; 1098-2329
• DOI: 10.1155/2024/3308910

Keratin extracted (KE) from chicken feathers was used for the production of composite films comprising poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and keratin (PCL/KE films). The process involved the extraction of keratin from chicken feathers using a 0.1 M NaOH solution, followed by characterization via sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The PCL was synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ԑ-CL) with Sn(Oct)2 as a catalyst. Films were prepared via solvent casting, including pure PCL films and those enriched with different weight percentages of KE (10%, 15%, 25%, and 30%). The films were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis revealed a more uniform incorporation of KE within the PCL matrix in the case of the 15% keratin-enriched film (PCL/KE15) as compared to other keratin percentages. The thermal analysis showed a positive influence of keratin on the thermal stability of the films. Keratinocytes viability and proliferation tests on the PCL/KE15 film demonstrated compatibility with cells. Collectively, these results hold relevance for potential biomedical applications of PCL/KE films.