Fabrication of guar gum-gelatin scaffold for soft tissue engineering

This study investigates the effect of G', G '' and G ''/G' (tan partial derivative) on the properties of freeze-dried scaffolds for tissue engineering. Guar gum (GG)-gelatin (GE) hydrogels were prepared with varying concentrations of GG, to achieve a wide range of G' and G ''. Rheological analysis was performed and then the hydrogels were freeze-dried to evaluate their porosity and structural integrity. Studies revealed that higher tan partial derivative values resulted in weak scaffolds, while lower values resulted in hard scaffolds having structural deformities. Scaffolds desirable for soft tissue engineering had tan partial derivative value of 0.88. The porosity and interconnectivity of the optimized scaffold were in range to enable efficient transport of nutrition and waste products. Physical parameters, like contact angle and surface roughness of the optimized scaffold were favourable for soft tissue engineering. Bioassay was performed by culturing human keratinocytes, which divulged excellent cell viability and proliferation even after fourteen days of culture.