Characterization and in vitro evaluation of electrospun aligned-fiber membranes of poly(L-co-D,L-lactic acid)

poly(L-co-D,L-lactic acid) (PLDLA) is a bioresorbable and biocompatible copolymer obtained from the combination of L-lactic and D, L-lactic monomers. PLDLA membranes formed by aligned fibers were prepared by AC/DC electrospinning. Solutions of 8 and 10 wt % of PLDLA were used and membranes were collected by a rotating cylindrical collector. The results showed a slight increase in the fiber diameter with the increase in the polymer concentration. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results showed no changes in the chemical structure. Dynamic mechanical analysis results showed an increase in the storage modulus and a decrease in glass-transition temperature for the 10 wt % samples, which was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a slight variation of the peak degradation temperature. Nevertheless, the samples did not present solvent residues. The membranes were tested in vitro using adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The ASCs proliferated after 1, 7, and 14 days of culture, maintaining a spindle-like morphology, which evidences their potential for tissue engineering applications. (c) 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47657.