Vigilancia Tecnológica

Keratin extracted (KE) from chicken feathers was used for the production of composite films comprising poly(??caprolactone) (PCL) and keratin (PCL/KE films). The process involved the extraction of keratin from chicken feathers using a 0.1?M NaOH solution, followed by characterization via sodium dodecyl sulfate?polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS?PAGE). The PCL was synthesized through the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of ??caprolactone (??CL) with Sn(Oct)2 as a catalyst. Films were prepared via solvent casting, including pure PCL films and those enriched with different weight percentages of KE (10%, 15%, 25%, and 30%). The films were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM analysis revealed a more uniform incorporation of KE within the PCL matrix in the case of the 15% keratin?enriched film (PCL/KE15) as compared to other keratin percentages. The thermal analysis showed a positive influence of keratin on the thermal stability of the films. Keratinocytes viability and proliferation tests on the PCL/KE15 film demonstrated compatibility with cells. Collectively, these results hold relevance for potential biomedical applications of PCL/KE films.