Evaluation of Biocompatibility of PLA/PHB/TPS Polymer Scaffolds with Different Additives of ATBC and OLA Plasticizers

Abstract

One of the blends that is usable for 3D printing while not being toxic to cell cultures is the lactic acid (PLA)/polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB)/thermoplastic starch (TPS) blend. The addition of plasticizers can change the rate of biodegradation and the biological behavior of the material. In order to evaluate the potential of the PLA/PHB/TPS material in combination with additives (plasticizers: acetyl tributyl citrate (ATBC) and oligomeric lactic acid (OLA)), for use in the field of biomedical tissue engineering, we performed a comprehensive in vitro characterization of selected mixture materials. Three types of materials were tested: I: PLA/PHB/TPS + 25% OLA, II: PLA/PHB/TPS + 30% ATBC, and III: PLA/PHB/TPS + 30% OLA. The assessment of the biocompatibility of the materials included cytotoxicity tests, such as monitoring the viability, proliferation and morphology of cells and their deposition on the surface of the materials. The cell line 7F2 osteoblasts (Mus musculus) was used in the experiments. Based on the test results, the significant influence of plasticizers on the material was confirmed, with their specific proportions in the mixtures. PLA/PHB/TPS + 25% OLA was evaluated as the optimal material for biocompatibility with 7F2 osteoblasts. The tested biomaterials have the potential for further investigation with a possible change in the proportion of plasticizers, which can have a fundamental impact on their biological properties.