{Novel non-cytotoxic alginate–lignin hybrid aerogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering}

Citation:
Quraishi S, Martins M, Barros AA, Gurikov P, Raman SP, Smirnova I, Duarte AR, Reis RL. {Novel non-cytotoxic alginate–lignin hybrid aerogels as scaffolds for tissue engineering}. Journal of Supercritical Fluids. 2015;105:1-8. copy at https://docentes.fct.unl.pt/ard08968/publications/novel-non-cytotoxic-alginate-lignin-hybrid-aerogels-scaffolds-tissue-engineeri

Abstract:

This paper presents a novel approach toward the production of hybrid alginate–lignin aerogels. The key idea of the approach is to employ pressurized carbon dioxide for gelation. Exposure of alginate and lignin aqueous alkali solution containing calcium carbonate to CO2at 4.5 MPa resulted in a hydrogel formation. Various lignin and CaCO3concentrations were studied. Stable hydrogels could be formed up to 2:1 (w/w) alginate-to-lignin ratio (1.5 wt{%} overall biopolymer concentration). Upon substitution of water with ethanol, gels were dried in supercritical CO2to produce aerogels. Aerogels with bulk density in the range 0.03–0.07 g/cm3, surface area up to 564 m2/g and pore volume up to 7.2 cm3/g were obtained. To introduce macroporosity, the CO2induced gelation was supplemented with rapid depressurization (foaming process). Macroporosity up to 31.3 ± 1.9{%} with interconnectivity up to 33.2 ± 8.3{%} could be achieved at depressurization rate of 3 MPa/min as assessed by micro-CT. Young's modulus of alginate–lignin aerogels was measured in both dry and wet states. Cell studies revealed that alginate–lignin aerogels are non-cytotoxic and feature good cell adhesion making them attractive candidates for a wide range of applications including tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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