Chitosan Based Scaffolds by Lyophilization and sc.CO₂ Assisted Methods for Tissue Engineering Applications

Abstract

Porous chitosan scaffolds with possible tissue engineering applications were synthesized by using lyophilization and supercritical carbon dioxide (sc.CO₂) drying technique. 1% Chitosan (CS) solution in aq. acetic acid was treated with 37% formaldehyde solution; the resulting hydrogels were subjected to solvent-exchange prior to the final treatment procedures. Their morphology, pore structure, and physical properties were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the specific surface areas and porosities of scaffolds were determined by using N₂ adsorption. The sc.CO₂ treated scaffolds showed a much greater surface area in comparison to the lyophilized one. Hence, sc.CO₂ treated scaffolds is better for cell proliferation. We further investigated the bioactivity of sc.CO₂ treated scaffolds using simulated body fluid (SBF). The sc.CO₂ assisted chitosan scaffold prepared by using green chemistry approach is highly pure and from a hygienic point of view, it is an ideal material for tissue engineering applications.

Keywords:

• Chitosan
• scaffolds
• lyophilization
• sc.CO₂
• tissue engineering

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the Commonwealth Scholarship Commission-London for providing Academic Staff Fellowship Award-2007 to PKD and KR is thankful to Professor Arun B. Samaddar, Director, MNNIT, Allahabad for providing her institute fellowship.