Preparation of Microfibrillated Cellulose Composites\nfor Sustained Release of H₂O₂ or O₂ for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

A cost-effective\nand energy-saving approach to prepare microfibrillated\ncellulose (MFC) nanocomposites from natural wood fibers is reported.\nThe MFC was mixed with calcium peroxide (CPO) with or without catalase\nto form multilayered MFC nanocomposites that allow modulation of the\nreleases of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) or oxygen\n(O₂), respectively. The release profile of H₂O₂ from the MFC nanocomposites up to five days was obtained,\nand the effects of H₂O₂ and O₂ on\nthe responses of mammalian cells were evaluated. The results showed\nthat MFC itself possesses great biocompatibility, and the MFC/CPO\nnanocomposites are able to suppress cell proliferation. The further\naddition of catalase into the MFC/CPO composites converts H₂O₂ to O₂ so effectively that enhanced L-929\nfibroblasts cell density was clearly found. The as-prepared MFC/CPO\nand [MFC+catalase]/CPO nanocomposites were shown to be applicable\non alternative substrates and revealed similar functions. Moreover,\nthe cell cultured on the [MFC+catalase]/CPO composites under a serum-free\ncondition revealed that the generation of oxygen plays a role in supporting\ncell proliferation. This study is among the first work to report the\nmodulation of the release of H₂O₂ and O₂ by using microfibril cellulose-based materials for applications\nin wound sterilization and to accelerate wound healing.