Optimising Rheology and Printability of a Natural Hydrogel for 3D Bioprinting
摘要
3D bioprinting is a cornerstone of tissue engineering, yet its progress is constrained by the lack of bioinks combining optimal printability and biocompatibility. This study develops and characterizes a hydrogel based on K-Carrageenan (KC) and Tragacanth Gum (TG) aimed at achieving good printability, structural stability, and low cytotoxicity. KC and TG stock solutions were prepared at various concentrations to assess their rheological properties through viscoelasticity tests, measuring storage (G’) and loss (G”) moduli across temperature and shear rates. After selecting an optimal formulation, mechanical extrusion, pressure, and collapse tests were performed to evaluate printability. The hydrogel’s pseudoplastic behavior and stable thermal transition within physiological ranges ensured homogeneous extrusion without structural collapse. Mechanical tests confirmed the material’s integrity post-extrusion, while collapse tests demonstrated excellent reproducibility in grid and structure printing. The KC/TG hydrogel exhibited tunable viscosity under applied pressure and maintained mechanical stability, supporting the fabrication of complex scaffolds. Its low cytotoxicity further highlights its potential for tissue engineering. Future work will focus on evaluating its performance in advanced cell cultures and its integration with specific cell types for biomedical applications.