Characterization of innately decellularised micropattern pseudostem of Musa balbisiana – A non-surface functionalized 3D economic biomaterial scaffold

Abstract

Banana (Musa balbisiana) pseudostem 3D scaffolds have been developed here for primary eukaryotic cell and cell line culture as an economical, sustainable, eco-friendly alternative for surface-functionalized polymeric and plant tissue-based structures. Musa pseudostem 3D micro pattern scaffold (MPM-3Ds) developed by freeze-drying followed by ethylene oxide sterilization yielded 5.6ng of DNA per mg of tissue, confirming its extended decellularised state. Thermo gravimetric analysis, contact angle measurement, uniaxial testing, and FTIR determined thermal stability, wettability, tensile strength, and surface functional groups respectively. Micro and macronutrients, sugars, and amino acids that naturally enrich MPM-3Ds were estimated using EDAX, HPLC, and biochemical analysis. The most important finding was, non-surface functionalized MPM-3Ds supported attachment, growth, and differentiation of human mesenchyme stem cells, human primary hepatocytes like cells, primary mouse brain cortical neurons, mouse fibroblast cells, and human pancreatic cancer cells. MPM-3Ds showed in vivo biodegradation and biocompatibility in a preliminary analysis in Sprague Dawley rats. These findings illuminate nature's power to nurture cells in the micropattern cradles of MPM-3Ds that can support innovative research in stem cell differentiation, drug and cosmetic testing, and biosensor development leading to advanced biomedical research.