Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Decellularized Brown Seaweed Scaffold for Tissue Engineering

Abstract

In response to the growing demand for sustainable biomaterials in tissue engineering, we investigated the potential of structurally intact brown seaweed scaffolds derived from Laminaria digitata (L.D.) and Laminaria saccharina (L.S.), produced by a detergent-free, visible-light decellularization process aimed at preserving structural integrity. Blades were submerged in cold flow-through and aerated water with red (620 nm) and blue (470 nm) light exposure for 4 weeks. Histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analyses demonstrated that the light decellularization process removed cells/debris, maintained essential structural features, and significantly increased scaffold porosity. Mechanical property analysis through tensile testing revealed a substantial increase in tensile strength post decellularization, with L.D. scaffolds increasing from 3.4 MPa to 8.7 MPa and L.S. scaffolds from 2.1 MPa to 6.6 MPa. Chemical analysis indicated notable alterations in polysaccharide and protein composition following decellularization. Additionally, scaffolds retained high swelling and fluid absorption capacities, critical for biomedical uses. These findings underscore that the decellularized L.D. and L.S. scaffolds preserved structural integrity and exhibited enhanced mechanical properties, interconnected porous structures, and significant liquid retention capabilities, establishing them as promising biomaterial candidates for soft-tissue reinforcement, wound care, and broader applications in regenerative medicine.