# PLA/BC/lard nanofiber composites as next-generation burn wound dressings

## TL;DR

A new wound dressing made of PLA, bacterial cellulose, and lard shows improved mechanical and biological properties for faster healing.

## Contribution

This is the first study to report lard-containing PLA/BC nanofibers for wound dressings.

## Key findings

- PLA/BC/lard nanofibers showed high tensile strength and elasticity suitable for dynamic anatomical regions.
- The nanofibers promoted cell viability and accelerated wound closure in human dermal fibroblasts.
- Incorporation of lard led to a non-significant reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-6 and IL-17.

## Abstract

This study describes the development of electrospun nanofibers composed of polylactic acid (PLA), bacterial cellulose (BC), and lard for wound dressing applications. PLA provided structural stability, BC enhanced hydrophilicity and mechanical reinforcement, while lard contributed elasticity and biofunctionality. Morphological analysis showed uniform, bead-free fibers; BC incorporation reduced fiber diameter, while lard incorporation increased fiber thickness due to its plasticizing effect on the polymer matrix. Mechanical tests revealed that PLA/BC composites exhibited higher tensile strength, while PLA/BC/lard composites showed greater elongation at break and elasticity, making them suitable for dynamic anatomical regions; numerical analyses confirmed the high reliability of the structural modeling by showing a maximum deviation of 1.57% between experimental and theoretical stress values. Biological evaluations with human dermal fibroblasts confirmed high biocompatibility. PLA/BC/lard nanofibers promoted cell viability, accelerated wound closure, and exhibited a reduction trend in pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-17) compared to PLA/BC controls, suggesting a non-significant trend of lard incorporation. In conclusion, the synergistic integration of PLA, BC, and lard produced multifunctional nanofibers with balanced mechanical properties, biodegradability, and biological activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting lard-containing PLA/BC nanofibers, highlighting their novelty and potential as next-generation wound dressings with improved early healing-related responses and a non-significant downward trend in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.

Novel PLA/BC/lard nanofibers combine structural strength with lipid-mediated elasticity and bioactivity, creating a mechanically adaptive dressing for accelerated wound healing.