In vitro degradation behaviour of starch/PVA films in simulated blood and simulated saliva fluid and in vitro biocompatibility evaluation

A series of starch/PVA (SP) films with the thickness of 0.05 mm-0.10 mm were casted by the solvent method. The degradation behaviors of the SP films in simulated blood fluid (SBF) and simulated saliva fluid (SSF) were studied. Changes of their mechanical properties, mass loss, swelling degree, thermal properties and morphology of surface during degradation were tested. It is found that the films can keep the shape stability and certain mechanical properties during 30 days degradation. The biocompatibility of the SP film was investigated by cytotoxicity, hemolytic and cell culture tests. The results show that the SP films possess excellent cell and blood compatibility. All the results demonstrate that the SP films can be potentially applied as guide tissue regeneration films.