Surfactant Role in Modifying Architecture of Functional Polymeric Gelatin Scaffolds

Abstract

In this study, the authors fabricated gelatin matrices through novel foaming-freezing technique. They investigated the effect of surfactant on scaffold surface area, structure, and mechanical strength. The results confirm the use of surfactant at optimal concentration provides macroporous interconnected network to the scaffold. The sponge fabricated showed increase surface area and % elongation with use of surfactant. In vitro studies confirm higher cell attachment and proliferation with increased metabolic rate further confirmed by live/dead staining. Overall, these results show that using the surfactant can alter the architecture, surface property, and biological response of the matrix.

Keywords:

• Biomaterials
• foaming
• freezing
• gelatin
• porous
• surfactant
• tissue engineering

Acknowledgments

Drs. Choi and Singh contributed equally to this article.

Notes

Color versions of one or more of the figures in the article can be found online at www.tandfonline.com/gpom.