Effect of pseudomonas lipase enzyme on the degradation of polycaprolactone/polycaprolactone-polyglycolide fiber blended nanocomposites

This study describes the interaction resulting from adding pseudomonas lipase (PS) enzyme to polycaprolactone-based composites designed for orthopedic applications. The biopolymer composite evaluated in this study consists of electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL)/polyglycolide (PGA) blended fibers impregnated with double stranded deoxyribonucleic acid wrapped single-walled carbon nanotubes encapsulated by a PCL matrix. PS enzyme was used to catalyze the degradation of PCL-based biocomposites. PCL present in the biocomposites showed considerable degradation in 4 weeks in the presence of the enzyme, exhibiting a contrast to hydrolytic degradation which lasts several years. PGA-consisting fibers degraded completely within one week of exposure to the enzyme. [GRAPHICS] .