Properties of solvent-cast chitin membranes and exploration of potential applications

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process that requires suitable environment to promote the healing process. Biomaterials have been used to augment and treat tissue wounds and injuries. In this regard, chitin-based materials are receiving increased attention due to their unique and appealing biological properties. Chitin membranes prepared by dissolution of the polymer in ionic liquid (IL) and subsequent freeze-drying were previously shown to be flexible, highly porous, and stable. In this work, these membranes were used as support substrates for growth of two mammalian cell types: NIH 3T3 and HEK293T. The membranes did not exhibit any obvious cytotoxicity and supported attachment and proliferation of these cells. Chitin membranes were also used as a matrix for loading and prolonged in vitro release of the antibiotic bacitracin as well as quorum-sensing (QS) inhibitory compounds. These results suggest that the chitin membranes are promising candidates for application in next-generation wound treatment systems and support the concept of using wound dressing materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery purposes, especially for patients suffering from chronic wounds.