Evaluation of a bio-based hydrophobic cellulose laurate film as biomaterial--study on biodegradation and cytocompatibility.

The study aims to validate an original bio-based material, obtained by grafting fatty chains, and more especially lauric chains (C12) onto cellulose, for medical applications. The mechanical properties of the synthesized cellulose laurate (C12) are close to those of petrochemical ones such as low density polyethylene. This cellulose-based polymer is transparent, flexible, and hydrophobic. To evaluate the stability of the cellulosic films in biological fluids the samples are soaked in simulated body fluid or blood plasma for a few hours to 6 months, and then submitted to mechanical and chemical analyses. The simultaneously performed cytocompatibility tests were the colony-forming viability, the vitality and cell proliferation tests using NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and MC 3T3 osteoblast-like cells. The results show the stability, the biocompatibility, and the noncytotoxicity of the synthesized cellulose laurate films. This biomaterial may so be considered for surgical applications.