Poly( ε -caprolactone)/gelatin nanofibrous scaffolds for wound dressing

Porous poly( ε -caprolactone)/gelatin (P/g) scaffolds were electrospun at 18 wt% polymer concentration using a common solvent of diluted acetic acid and ethyl acetate to evaluate the effect of P/g weight ratio in the range of 9/1–5/5 on mechanical properties, porosity, moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), and biocompatibility of scaffolds. The precursor solution exhibited a gelatin concentration-dependent decrease in viscosity and increase in conductivity in the range of P/g ratios from 9/1 to 5/5 in the scaffolds. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) results showed an interaction of hydrogen (H) bond between the ester group (–COO) of PCL and the amine group (–NH 2 ) of gelatin molecule in the P/g scaffold. The highest water uptake capacity (541%) and MVTR values (1522.3 ± 13.48 g/m 2 ·24 h) were observed on the 7/3 P/g scaffold. The highest strength of 4.8 ± 0.6 MPa was observed on the 6/4 scaffold. The P/g scaffolds showed no evidence of causing cell lysis or toxicity. Among the scaffolds, 7/3 and 6/4 P/g scaffolds appeared to be suitable as wound dressings due to their excellent MVTR, water uptake capacity, cell viability, proliferation, attachment and mechanical strength.