Microfiber Modification and Characterization of Nephila pilipes’ Dragline Silk by Electrospinning for scaffold application

Objectives: The research’s objective is to reengineer the physical topography of natural spider dragline silk into microfiber scaffold, to identify and compare the morphology, size and chemical structure of Nephila p. dragline silk and reengineered microfiber scaffold using SEM and FTIR and to identify antibacterial characteristic microfiber scaffold using paper-disk diffusion assay.
Methods: The method of this research is qualitative descriptive. The materials that were used: natural Nephila p. dragline silk, Trifluoroacetic acid and Dichloromethane. Dragline silk was dissolved in TFA: DCM mixture. Dissolved dragline silk solution went through electrospinning process, hence produced microfiber scaffold.
Results: SEM result at 2000x magnification showed that electrospun scaffold has distribution of smaller fiber than natural dragline silk, range between 1-3 mm and showed interconnectivities between fibers. Natural Nephila p. dragline silk distribution range is between 4-9 mm. FTIR result showed there were similarities frequency between spectrum of natural dragline silk and electrospun scaffold, that proved microfiber scaffolds still carry natural properties of Nephila p. dragline silk. Average inhibition zone of microfiber scaffold through diffusion assay is 8,67mm.
Conclusions: In conclusion, natural Nephila p. dragline silk can be reengineered into smaller size microfiber mats with similar chemical bond content, having possibilities to be used as scaffold.