Electrospinning and characterization of konjac glucomannan/chitosan nanofibrous scaffolds favoring the growth of bone mesenchymal stem cells

• Published in: Carbohydrate polymers Vol. 85; no. 3; pp. 681 - 686
• Main Authors: Nie, Huarong, Shen, Xingxing, Zhou, Zhihua, Jiang, Qingsong, Chen, Yiwang, Xie, An, Wang, Yang, Han, Charles C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: alkali treatment; Alkalis; Applied sciences; aqueous solutions; Biocompatibility; Biological and medical sciences; Bone; Bone growth; Carbohydrates; Chitosan; cross-linking reagents; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Konjac glucomannan (KGM); konjac mannan; Medical sciences; Mesenchyme; Nanofibrous scaffold; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; scaffolds; Solvents; Stem cells; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Technology of polymers; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments; Nanofibrous scaffold; Konjac glucomannan (KGM); Chitosan; Biological properties; Polymer blends; Tissue engineering; Stem cell; Electrospinning; Konjac; Nanofiber; Mesenchymal cell; Chemical degradation; Experimental study; Hydrolysis; Morphology; Cell adhesion; Oside polymer; Biocompatibility; Biomaterial; Manufacturing; Framework; Glucomannan
• ISSN: 0144-8617; 1879-1344
• DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.03.036

Many natural polymers could not be electrospun from their aqueous solutions due to lack of organic solvents. In this study, konjac glucomannan (KGM) scaffolds with the average fiber diameter ranging from 150nm to 350nm were fabricated by electrospinning its aqueous solution. The stability of KGM based scaffolds was improved after alkali treatment at a low concentration without any other chemical crosslinking agents involved. Meanwhile, KGM/chitosan bicomponent nonwoven membranes were also easily obtained from their dilute acidic solution, and the average fiber diameter decreased from 350nm to 180nm with the increase in chitosan content. The study on the biological properties shows that the nanofibrous scaffolds provide more suitable space room for bone mesenchymal stem cells to adhere than the bulk films. Moreover, the addition of KGM improves the biocompatibility of chitosan materials.