Chitosan Woven Meshes for Use as Biomaterial: From the Wet Spinning Process and Filament Obtention to Mesh Properties

This study aimed to obtain wet-spun chitosan (CS) filaments with mechanical properties suitable for the biomaterial weaving process, in addition to evaluating the physical-mechanical and biological behavior of the CS woven meshes obtained. CS filament coagulation rate, drying methodology, and morphology were evaluated. The filament coagulation reaction was completed in 65 seconds, with a logarithmic profile, in compliance with Fick's second law. The proposed drying methodology does not cause dehydration of the chitosan saccharide rings and the stretching condition during drying modified the crystallinity index, mechanical properties, morphology, and diameter of CS filaments. The mechanical, morphological, and biological behaviors of CS woven meshes were investigated. Were observed a uniform pore size, mechanical properties in the wet state similar to those of the human dermis, controlled swelling degree, and degradation of 80% in phosphate buffered saline/lysozyme medium under 5 weeks. In addition, the CS woven meshes were not cytotoxic to L929 Mouse Fibroblast Cell Line, being promising for use as biomaterials.