Gelatin-based electrospun fibers insolubilized by horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed cross-linking for biomedical applications

Abstract

Gelatin-based water-insoluble nanofibers with a diameter of 160 nm were obtained from electrospinning aqueous solutions containing gelatin with phenolic hydroxyl (Ph) moieties (Gelatin-Ph) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The water insolubility of the nanofibers was accomplished through HRP-catalyzed cross-linking of the Ph moieties by exposing the electrospun nanofibers to air containing hydrogen peroxide. The HRP activity in the electrospun nanofibers was 65% that of native HRP. The cytocompatibility necessary for tissue engineering applications of the water-insoluble Gelatin-Ph nanofibers was confirmed by the adhesion and viability of human embryonic kidney-derived HEK293 cells.