Preparation and Evaluation of Aligned PLGA/SEP/NanoHAp Electrospun Fibers

Objectives: This study aims to prepare and evaluate electrospun fibers composed of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), soluble eggshell membrane proteins (SEP), and nanohydroxyapatite (nanoHAp) at several rotation speeds of the collector for potential tissue regeneration applications
Methods: Electrospun PLGA/SEP/nanoHAp fibers were prepared at rotating collector speeds of 0, 750, and 1500 rpm. The morphology and orientation of fibers were determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and ImageJ software. The mechanical properties of the electrospun fibers were determined using a mechanical testing system (MTS). A one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post-hoc analysis was done to assess the variation in the mechanical properties.
Results: The values of the fiber’s orientation at 0 rpm, 750 rpm, and 1500 rpm were -14.8 degrees, -8 degrees, and -76 degrees, respectively. The coherency values at 0 rpm, 750 rpm, and 1500 rpm were 0.15, 0.56, and 0.25, respectively. The mean tensile strength values at 0 rpm, 750 rpm, and 1500 rpm were 3.2 ± 0.4 MPa, 2.7 ± 0.6 MPa, and 4.1 ± 0.3 MPa, respectively. A statistically significant difference among the tensile strength values was only observed between the specimens electrospun at 750 rpm and at 1500 rpm (P=0.015). The mean elastic modulus values of the fibers prepared at 0 rpm, 750 rpm, and 1500 rpm were 155.7 ± 43.5 MPa, 129.3 ± 14 MPa, and 176.8 ± 29.5 MPa, respectively. There is no statistically significant difference observed among the elastic modulus values of composite fibers prepared at the three rotation speeds.
Conclusions: PLGA/SEP/nanoHAp electrospun fibers with varying degrees of fiber alignment can be prepared by adjusting the collector speed. More studies need to be performed to investigate their potential for tissue regeneration applications.