# Carboxymethylated and Sulfated Furcellaran from Furcellaria lumbricalis and Its Immobilization on PLA Scaffolds

## TL;DR

Researchers modified 3D-printed scaffolds with a seaweed-based material to improve their compatibility with cells for tissue engineering.

## Contribution

A novel method of functionalizing PLA scaffolds with sulfated or carboxymethylated furcellaran to enhance bioactivity and cytocompatibility.

## Key findings

- PLA scaffolds with a 25 μm thickness and interconnected pores were successfully fabricated.
- Surface modification with furcellaran derivatives improved hydrophilicity and surface roughness.
- Modified scaffolds showed increased cytocompatibility with NIH/3T3 cells.

## Abstract

This study involved the creation of highly porous PLA scaffolds through the porogen/leaching method, utilizing polyethylene glycol as a porogen with a 75% mass ratio. The outcome achieved a highly interconnected porous structure with a thickness of 25 μm. To activate the scaffold’s surface and improve its hydrophilicity, radiofrequency (RF) air plasma treatment was employed. Subsequently, furcellaran subjected to sulfation or carboxymethylation was deposited onto the RF plasma treated surfaces with the intention of improving bioactivity. Surface roughness and water wettability experienced enhancement following the surface modification. The incorporation of sulfate/carboxymethyl group (DS = 0.8; 0.3, respectively) is confirmed by elemental analysis and FT-IR. Successful functionalization of PLA scaffolds was validated by SEM and XPS analysis, showing changes in topography and increases in characteristic elements (N, S, Na) for sulfated (SF) and carboxymethylated (CMF). Cytocompatibility was evaluated by using mouse embryonic fibroblast cells (NIH/3T3).