Biocompatible Native Hyaluronan Nanofibers Fabricated via Aqueous PEO-Assisted Electrospinning and Heat-Quench Process

Professor Fujita and his colleagues at the University of Fukui have published a paper on the preparation of natural hyaluronic acid gel nanofibers. Our NANON and Handy Spinneret were used in this research.

⇒ Click here to read the paper.

Let me briefly introduce the contents !

Hyaluronic acid is used in a wide variety of applications, from cancer treatment to cosmetics. However, the hyaluronic acid used is chemically modified hyaluronic acid, and there are concerns about its safety.

Electrospinning hyaluronic acid nanofibers have been studied for various applications, but the use of organic solvents as solvents raises concerns about their application in medical and cosmetic products. The hyaluronic acid gel nanofiber production method presented here uses natural, unmodified hyaluronic acid as the material and water as the solvent, making it possible to produce nanofibers with a high level of safety.

Since it is difficult to spin hyaluronic acid alone, this method uses a pH-adjusted solution mixed with polyethylene oxide to improve spinnability. The acidic solution of hyaluronic acid suppresses the divergence of side chains, making it insoluble in water. It has also been confirmed that viscosity decreases under acidic conditions. The solution is adjusted to the optimum pH for spinning by electrospinning, and then heated, quenched, acid-treated, and washed with water to remove PEO, allowing the preparation of hyaluronic acid-only nanofibers.

Cell culture on the prepared nanofibers showed selective adhesion to cells with the hyaluronan receptor CD44, suggesting that the nanofibers may be useful as a culture substrate to mimic the pericellular microenvironment in the brain.

In addition, a solution of hyaluronic acid/PEO solution with vitamin B2 has been successfully spun using a Handys spinnerette. Since the Handys spinneret enables spinning directly on the skin, it is expected to be applied to wound dressings and cosmetic applications.

It is very informative to learn that ph adjustment can improve the spinning performance of hyaluronic acid.
Personally, I am particularly concerned about beauty, so I am very much looking forward to its effective application to the skin!
I have also used our Handy Spinnerette, which you used this time, and it is very convenient because it is easy to operate and can spin directly☻
If you are interested in Handy Spinnerette, please contact us!

Professor Fujita has also given us his impressions of the device on our website. Please take a look at it as well.