Pectin-based inks development for 3D bioprinting of scaffolds

Abstract

3D bioprinting allows creative ideas for 3D scaffold development. Therefore, it enhances the creation of customized dressings for tissue regeneration and the wound healing process. A relevant requirement when employing hydrogels in extrusion-based bioprinting (EBB), is to maintain design fidelity and shape of printed structures. In this work, three novel biopolymeric inks were formulated of which components are pectin (Pe) with the addition of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Specific methods for study extrudability, printability, physicochemical properties, and cytotoxicity of inks and 3D structures were proposed. 3D models of medium and high printing complexity were developed. Pe + MCC scaffold presents the best square interconnected channels (Printability≈ 1). Young’s modulus of Pe and Pe + MCC scaffolds are in the same range of values as the skin modulus. Pe scaffold presents the highest water retention capacity. From the cytotoxicity test, the three inks showed well in vitro biocompatibility with L929 fibroblast cells. These results suggest that Pe and Pe + MCC biopolymer inks can potentially be implemented for developing 3D printed personalized dressings for wound healing treatment.