Muga (Antheraea assamensis) silk electrospun scaffold for biomedical applications

Abstract

Abstract Wild silk varieties are less explored in the field of biomaterials than cultivated mulberry silk (Bombyx Mori). In the present work, an electrospun scaffold was produced from wild silk, muga (Antheraea assamensis), and it was assessed for the properties required for biomaterials. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the electrospun fibers were formed without beads, and the majority of the fibers had diameters in the range of 500–900 nm. The scaffold started to decompose at 210 °C, which is higher than the temperature used for sterilization of the scaffold. The PBS uptake percentage was found to be 400 %, which is sufficient for the absorption of the medium used during cell culture. The scaffold had a hemolysis value of less than 5 %, which indicates that the scaffold exhibits good blood compatibility. The MTT assay showed cell viability of more than 80 % after 24 h and 48 h, and fluorescence microscopy showed that cells adhered and spread on the surface of the scaffold. The results show that muga silk electrospun mat can be used as an ideal biomaterial.