Poly‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐based constructs with novel characteristics for drug delivery and tissue engineering applications—A review

Curcumin-loaded scaffolds in bone regeneration

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in the development of engineered bone scaffolds intended for the repair of bone defects. While autografts and allografts have traditionally served as the primary methods in bone tissue engineering, their inherent limitations have spurred the exploration of novel avenues in biomedical implant development. The emergence of bone scaffolds not only facilitates bone reconstruction but also offers a platform for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. There exists a pervasive interest in leveraging various drugs, proteins, growth factors, and biomolecules with osteogenic properties to augment bone formation, as the enduring side effects associated with current clinical modalities necessitate the pursuit of safer alternatives. Curcumin, the principal bioactive compound found in turmeric, has demonstrated notable efficacy in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells while promoting bone formation. Nevertheless, its utility is hindered by restricted water solubility and poor bioavailability. Strategies aimed at enhancing the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of curcumin, including formulation techniques such as liposomes and nanoparticles or its complexation with metals, have been explored. This investigation is dedicated to exploring the impact of curcumin on the proliferation, differentiation, and migration of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts.

Biopolymer Compositions Based on Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and Linear Polyurethanes with Aromatic Rings-Preparation and Properties Evaluation

Polymer biocompositions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) and linear polyurethanes (PU) with aromatic rings were produced by melt-blending at different P3HB/PU weight ratios (100/0, 95/5, 90/10, and 85/15). Polyurethanes have been prepared with 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and polyethylene glycols with molar masses of 400 g/mol (PU400), 1000g/mol (PU1000), and 1500 g/mol (PU1500). The compatibility and morphology of the obtained polymer blends were determined by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of the polyurethane content in the biocompositions on their thermal stability and mechanical properties was investigated and compared with those of the native P3HB. It was shown that increasing the PU content in P3HB-PU compositions to 10 wt.% leads to an improvement in the mentioned properties. The obtained results demonstrated that the thermal stability and mechanical properties of P3HB were improved, particularly in terms of increasing the degradation temperature, reducing hardness, and increasing impact strength. The best thermal and mechanical properties were shown by the P3HB-PU polymer compositions containing 10 wt.% of polyurethane modifiers, especially PU1000, which was also confirmed by the morphology analysis of these biocompositions. The presence of polyurethanes in the resulting polymer biocomposites decreases their glass transition temperatures, i.e., makes the materials more flexible. The resulting polymer biocompositions have suitable mechanical properties and thermal properties within the processing conditions for the predicted application as biodegradable, short-lived products for agriculture.

Advances in Nanofabrication Technology for Nutraceuticals: New Insights and Future Trends

Bioactive components such as polyphenolics, flavonoids, bioactive peptides, pigments, and essential fatty acids were known to ward off some deadliest diseases. Nutraceuticals are those beneficial compounds that may be food or part of food that has come up with medical or health benefits. Nanoencapsulation and nanofabricated delivery systems are an imminent approach in the field of food sciences. The sustainable fabrication of nutraceuticals and biocompatible active components indisputably enhances the food grade and promotes good health. Nanofabricated delivery systems include carbohydrates-based, lipids (solid and liquid), and proteins-based delivery systems. Solid nano-delivery systems include lipid nanoparticles. Liquid nano-delivery systems include nanoliposomes and nanoemulsions. Physicochemical properties of nanoparticles such as size, charge, hydrophobicity, and targeting molecules affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of nano delivery systems. Advance research in toxicity studies is necessary to ensure the safety of the nanofabricated delivery systems, as the safety of nano delivery systems for use in food applications is unknown. Therefore, improved nanotechnology could play a pivotal role in developing functional foods, a contemporary concept assuring the consumers to provide programmed, high-priced, and high-quality research toward nanofabricated delivery systems.

Effects of Differing Monomer Compositions on Properties of P(3HB-co-4HB) Synthesized by Aneurinibacillus sp. H1 for Various Applications

Films prepared from poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) copolymers produced by Aneurinibacillus sp. H1 using an automatic film applicator were homogeneous and had a defined thickness, which allowed a detailed study of physicochemical properties. Their properties were compared with those of a poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) homopolymer film prepared by the same procedure, which proved to be significantly more crystalline by DSC and XRD. Structural differences between samples had a major impact on their properties. With increasing 4-hydroxybutyrate content, the ductility and release rate of the model hydrophilic active ingredient increased significantly. Other observed properties, such as the release of the hydrophobic active substance, the contact angle with water and ethylene glycol, or the surface morphology and roughness, were also affected by the composition. The identified properties predetermine these copolymers for wide use in areas such as biomedicine or smart biodegradable packaging for food or cosmetics. The big advantage is the possibility of fine-tuning properties simply by changing the fermentation conditions.

Photoautotrophic and Mixotrophic Cultivation of Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Accumulating Microalgae Consortia Selected under Nitrogen and Phosphate Limitation

Microalgae consortia were photoautotrophically cultivated in sequencing batch photobioreactors (SBPRs) with an alteration of the normal growth and starvation (nutrient limitation) phases to select consortia capable of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation. At the steady state of SBPR operation, the obtained microalgae consortia, selected under nitrogen and phosphate limitation, accumulated up to 11.38% and 10.24% of PHA in their biomass, which was identified as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB). Photoautotrophic and mixotrophic batch cultivation of the selected microalgae consortia was conducted to investigate the potential of biomass and PHA production. Sugar source supplementation enhanced the biomass and PHA production, with the highest PHA contents of 10.94 and 6.2%, and cumulative PHA productions of 100 and 130 mg/L, with this being achieved with sugarcane juice under nitrogen and phosphate limitation, respectively. The analysis of other macromolecules during batch cultivation indicated a high content of carbohydrates and lipids under nitrogen limitation, while higher protein contents were detected under phosphate limitation. These results recommended the selected microalgae consortia as potential tools for PHA and bioresource production. The mixed-culture non-sterile cultivation system developed in this study provides valuable information for large-scale microalgal PHA production process development following the biorefinery concept.

Controlled Delivery of Pan-PAD-Inhibitor Cl-Amidine Using Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Microspheres

This study deals with the process of optimization and synthesis of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microspheres with encapsulated Cl-amidine. Cl-amidine is an inhibitor of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs), a group of calcium-dependent enzymes, which play critical roles in a number of pathologies, including autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, as well as cancer. While Cl-amidine application has been assessed in a number of in vitro and in vivo models; methods of controlled release delivery remain to be investigated. P(3HB) microspheres have proven to be an effective delivery system for several compounds applied in antimicrobial, wound healing, cancer, and cardiovascular and regenerative disease models. In the current study, P(3HB) microspheres with encapsulated Cl-amidine were produced in a size ranging from ~4–5 µm and characterized for surface morphology, porosity, hydrophobicity and protein adsorption, in comparison with empty P(3HB) microspheres. Cl-amidine encapsulation in P(3HB) microspheres was optimized, and these were found to be less hydrophobic, compared with the empty microspheres, and subsequently adsorbed a lower amount of protein on their surface. The release kinetics of Cl-amidine from the microspheres were assessed in vitro and expressed as a function of encapsulation efficiency. There was a burst release of ~50% Cl-amidine in the first 24 h and a zero order release from that point up to 16 days, at which time point ~93% of the drug had been released. As Cl-amidine has been associated with anti-cancer effects, the Cl-amidine encapsulated microspheres were assessed for the inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the mammalian breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3, including in the presence of the anti-proliferative drug rapamycin. The cytotoxicity of the combinatorial effect of rapamycin with Cl-amidine encapsulated P(3HB) microspheres was found to be 3.5% more effective within a 24 h period. The cells treated with Cl-amidine encapsulated microspheres alone, were found to have 36.5% reduction in VEGF expression when compared with untreated SK-BR-3 cells. This indicates that controlled release of Cl-amidine from P(3HB) microspheres may be effective in anti-cancer treatment, including in synergy with chemotherapeutic agents. Using controlled drug-delivery of Cl-amidine encapsulated in Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) microspheres may be a promising novel strategy for application in PAD-associated pathologies.

Graphene Nanoplatelets Render Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) a Suitable Scaffold to Promote Neuronal Network Development

The use of composite biomaterials as innovative bio-friendly neuronal interfaces has been poorly developed so far. Smart strategies to target neuro-pathologies are currently exploiting the mixed and complementary characteristics of composite materials to better design future neural interfaces. Here we present a polymer-based scaffold that has been rendered suitable for primary neurons by embedding graphene nanoplatelets (GnP). In particular, the growth, network formation, and functionality of primary neurons on poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] polymer supports functionalized with various concentrations of GnP were explored. After growing primary cortical neurons onto the supports for 14 days, all specimens were found to be biocompatible, revealing physiological growth and maturation of the neuronal network. When network functionality was investigated by whole patch-clamp measurements, pure P(3HB) led to changes in the action potential waveform and reduction in firing frequency, resulting in decreased neuronal excitability. However, the addition of GnP to the polymer matrix restored the electrophysiological parameters to physiological values. Interestingly, a low concentration of graphene was able to promote firing activity at a low level of injected current. The results indicate that the P(3HB)/GnP composites show great potential for electrical interfacing with primary neurons to eventually target central nervous system disorders.

Properties and structure of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) filaments for fused deposition modelling

Fused deposition modelling (FDM) is a process of additive manufacturing allowing creating of highly precise complex three-dimensional objects for a large range of applications. The principle of FDM is an extrusion of the molten filament and gradual deposition of layers and their solidification. Potential applications in pharmaceutical and medical fields require the development of biodegradable and biocompatible thermoplastics for the processing of filaments. In this work, the potential of production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) filaments for FDM was investigated in respect to its thermal stability. Copolymer P(3HB-co-4HB) was biosynthesised by Cupriavidus malaysiensis. Rheological and mechanical properties of the copolymer were modified by the addition of plasticizers or blending with poly(lactic acid). Thermal stability of mixtures was studied employing thermogravimetric analysis and rheological analyses by monitoring the time-dependent changes in the complex viscosity of melt samples. The plasticization of P(3HB-co-4HB) slightly hindered its thermal degradation but the best stabilization effect was found in case of the copolymer blended with poly(lactic acid). Overall, rheological, thermal and mechanical properties demonstrated that the plasticized P(3HB-co-4HB) is a potential candidate of biodegradable polymer for FDM processes.

Development and Characterization of Nanoparticles-Loaded Bio-composites for Biomedical Settings

There is a dire need to engineer biologically robust constructs to meet the growing needs of 21st-century medical sector. The increasing (re)-emergence of human-health related pathogenic microbes has caused a havoc and serious challenge to health care services. In this context, herein, we report the development and characterization of various polymeric bio-composites with unique structural and functional attributes. For a said purpose, chitosan and graphene were used to engineer bio-composites, which were then functionalized by loading silver and platinum nanoparticles. A microwave-assisted approach was adopted to construct silver and platinum nanoparticles loaded graphene-based bio-composites. While, “one-pot” synthesis approach was used to engineer silver and platinum nanoparticles loaded chitosan-based bio-composites. As developed bio-composites were designated as GO-Ag-S1 to GO-Ag-S5 (silver nanoparticles loaded graphene-based bio-composites), GO-Pt-P1 to GO-Pt-P5 (platinum nanoparticles loaded graphene-based bio-composites), CHI-Ag-S1 to CHI-Ag-S5 (silver nanoparticles loaded chitosan-based bio-composites), and CHI-Pt-P1 to CHI-Pt-P5 (platinum nanoparticles loaded chitosan-based bio-composites). Finally, the nanoparticles loaded bio-composites of graphene and chitosan were subjected to characterization via UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis, percent loading efficiency (%LE) analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, mechanical measurements, and antibacterial attributes. The UV-Visible spectrophotometric analysis revealed characteristic peaks appeared at the λmax 420 nm and 266 nm which belongs to the silver and platinum nanoparticles, respectively. The graphene-based bio-composites, i.e., GO-Ag-S3, GO-Ag-S4, and GO-Pt-P3 showed optimal %LE of 88, 92, and 89%, respectively. Whereas, CHI-Ag-S4, CHI-Pt-P3, and CHI-Pt-P4 bio-composites showed optimal %LE of 94, 86, and 94%, respectively. Two regions, i.e., (1) between 3600-3100 cm-1, and (2) between 1,800 and 1,000 cm-1 in the FTIR spectra were found of particular interest. The FTIR profile exposed the available functional moieties at the surface of respective bio-composites. Variable mechanical attributes of silver and platinum nanoparticles loaded bio-composites were recorded from the stress-strain curves. All developed bio-composites showed bactericidal activities up to certain extent against both test strains. As compared to the initial bacterial cell count (control value, i.e., 1.5 × 108 CFU/mL), the bio-composites with higher %LE showed almost complete inhibition, with a log reduction from 5 to 0, and bactericidal activities up to certain extent against both test strains, i.e., Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). In conclusion, the notable structural, functional, mechanical and antimicrobial attributes suggest the biomedical potentialities of newly in-house engineered silver and platinum nanoparticles loaded graphene and chitosan-based bio-composites.

Accumulation of PHA in the Microalgae Scenedesmus sp. under Nutrient-Deficient Conditions

Traditional plastics have undoubted utility and convenience for everyday life; but when they are derived from petroleum and are non-biodegradable, they contribute to two major crises today's world is facing: fossil resources depletion and environmental degradation. Polyhydroxyalkanoates are a promising alternative to replace them, being biodegradable and suitable for a wide variety of applications. This biopolymer accumulates as energy and carbon storage material in various microorganisms, including microalgae. This study investigated the influence of glucose, N, P, Fe, and salinity over the production of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) by Scenedesmus sp., a freshwater microalga strain not previously explored for this purpose. To assess the effect of the variables, a fractional Taguchi experimental design involving 16 experimental runs was planned and executed. Biopolymer was obtained in all the experiments in a wide range of concentrations (0.83-29.92%, w/w DW), and identified as polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) by FTIR analysis. The statistical analysis of the response was carried out using Minitab 16, where phosphorus, glucose, and iron were identified as significant factors, together with the P-Fe and glucose-N interactions. The presence of other relevant macromolecules was also quantified. Doing this, this work contributes to the understanding of the critical factors that control PHA production and present Scenedesmus sp. as a promising species to produce bio-resources in commercial systems.