Electrospun Polycaprolactone–Gelatin Fibrils Enabled 3D Hydrogel Microcapsules for Biomedical Applications

Felix Tettey-Engmann; Thakur Sapkota; Sita Shrestha; Narayan Bhattarai; Salil Desai

doi:10.3390/jfb16030085

journal-article

Electrospun Polycaprolactone–Gelatin Fibrils Enabled 3D Hydrogel Microcapsules for Biomedical Applications

Felix Tettey-Engmann·Felix Tettey-Engmann·Thakur Sapkota·Sita Shrestha·Narayan Bhattarai·Salil Desai

Journal of Functional BiomaterialsVol. 16Issue 3March 2, 2025DOI: 10.3390/jfb16030085

0Reads

2Citations

0Downloads

View Full Text

Abstract

Microcapsules provide a microenvironment by improving the protection and delivery of cells and drugs to specific tissue areas, promoting cell integration and tissue regeneration. Effective microcapsules must not only be permeable for micronutrient diffusion but mechanically stable. Alginate hydrogel is one of the commonly used biomaterials for fabricating microcapsules due to its gel-forming ability and low toxicity. However, its mechanical instability, inertness, and excessive porosity have impeded its use. Embedding nanofibrils in the alginate hydrogel microcapsules improves their biological and mechanical properties. In this research, electrospun composite nanofibers of PCL–gelatin (PG) were first fabricated, characterized, and cryoground. The filtered and cryoground powder solution was mixed with the alginate solution and through electrospray, fabricated into microcapsules. Parameters such as flow rate, voltage, and hydrogel composition, which are critical in the electrostatic encapsulation process, were optimized. The microcapsules were further immersed in different solvent environments (DI water, complete media, and PBS), which were observed and compared for their morphology, size distribution, and mechanical stability properties. The average diameters of the PG nanofibers ranged between 0.2 and 2 μm, with an average porosity between 58 and 73%. The average size of the microcapsules varied between 300 and 900 μm, depending on the solvent environment. Overall, results showed an improved alginate 3D hydrogel network suitable for biomedical applications.

Cite this Publication

Cite this paper

Tettey-Engmann, F., Sapkota, T., Shrestha, S., Bhattarai, N., & Desai, S. (2025). Electrospun Polycaprolactone–Gelatin Fibrils Enabled 3D Hydrogel Microcapsules for Biomedical Applications. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb16030085

Discussion

Sign in to join the discussion.

Electrospun Polycaprolactone–Gelatin Fibrils Enabled 3D Hydrogel Microcapsules for Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Cite this Publication

Cite this paper

Discussion

More like this