Cotton cellulose nanofiber/chitosan nanocomposite: characterization and evaluation of cytocompatibility

Abstract

Cellulose is a renewable polymer quite abundant on the Earth and very attractive for applications in the construction of eco-friendly biomedical products. The aim of this study was to investigate the chemical-physical characteristics of cotton cellulose nanofiber (CCN)/chitosan nanocomposite and its cytocompatibility with human embryonic kidney cells. First, the chemical composition, swelling ratio and surface topography of the nanocomposite were evaluated. Cytocompatibility was then assessed through spreading, proliferation and viability of cells. The experimental results showed that the CCN was an effective nanomaterial agent for increasing the roughness surface of chitosan film. Cell proliferation and changes in cell morphology indicated that the nanocomposite led to improved cell spreading and growth. Cell viability did not decrease after 24 h. However, the cell survival on the nanocomposite was affected at 72 h. The results indicate that CCN/chitosan nanocomposite could be a promising biocompatible biomaterial for biomedical applications.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Biomaterials
• biopolymer
• in vitro cell culture
• polymeric nanomaterials
• nanotopography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) [grant number APQ-02342-17], the Rede Mineira de Pesquisa e Inovação para Bioengenharia de Nanossistemas (RM PI-BEM) [grant number TEC - RED-00282-16] and the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) [grant number 433461/2018-7]. This investigation was also supported by Multi-user Lab-EMBRAPA Gado de Leite and Rede AgroNano.