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

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.