Designing hybrid nanofibers based on keratin-poly (vinyl alcohol) and poly (Ɛ-caprolactone) for application as wound dressing

In this study, the production of hybrid scaffolds containing keratin/polyvinyl alcohol (Ker/PVA) and poly (Ɛ-caproactone) (PCL) for application in skin regeneration has been investigated. In the first step, the extraction of keratin from wool fibers was done, and then electrospinning process was used to fabricate hybrid nanofibers. Ker/PVA blend solution was extruded from one syringe and poly(ε-caprolactone) solution from the other one and hybrid nanofibers were gathered onto a rotary drum collector. The effect of different ratios of Ker/PVA (30:70), (50:50), and (70:30) with PCL were studied on the morphology, hydrophilicity and mechanical features of the scaffolds. The Ker/PVA (50:50)-PCL nanofibers presented an appropriate modulus and mechanical strength similar to the natural skin. These scaffolds possessed high levels of hydrophilicity, which improved cell-scaffold adhesion and increased the growth and proliferation of fibroblast cells. Keratin based nanofibers demonstrated antibacterial characteristic against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus.