Biodegradable Cell Microcarriers Based on Chitosan/Polyester Graft-Copolymers

Abstract

Self-stabilizing biodegradable microcarriers were produced via an oil/water solvent evaporation technique using amphiphilic chitosan-g-polyester copolymers as a core material in oil phase without the addition of any emulsifier in aqueous phase. The total yield of the copolymer-based microparticles reached up to 79 wt. %, which is comparable to a yield achievable using traditional emulsifiers. The kinetics of microparticle self-stabilization, monitored during their process, were correlated to the migration of hydrophilic copolymer’s moieties to the oil/water interface. With a favorable surface/volume ratio and the presence of bioadhesive natural fragments anchored to their surface, the performance of these novel microcarriers has been highlighted by evaluating cell morphology and proliferation within a week of cell cultivation in vitro.

Keywords

• microcarriers
• graft-copolymers
• oil/water emulsion
• tissue engineering
• fibroblasts
• polylactide