387: Development of Marine-Derived Fiber Scaffolds Using Slime Webbing for Production of Cultivated Seafood

Introduction

The rising demand for cultivated seafood is driven by marine ecosystem degradation, increased consumption, and health risks. In cultivated meat production, scaffolds play a critical role by providing an environment for cell attachment and growth while contributing to tissue texture formation. This study investigated fiber scaffolds fabricated using an innovative "slime webbing" technique. Unlike traditional electrospinning, this method creates woven patterns, allowing precise control over fiber diameter and alignment to closely mimic fish muscle structure. Edible and insoluble scaffolds with outstanding cell attachment rates were developed using FC/C (fish collagen + chitosan), FG/C (fish gelatin +chitosan), and FCG/C (fish gelatin + fish collagen + chitosan).

Methods

Our fiber fabrication method, "contact spinning," relies on the solution's viscosity under shear rate, prompting shear viscosity measurements to evaluate its influence on fiber formation. Microstructural analysis was performed to assess fiber diameter and uniformity, while FTIR confirmed the chemical composition of the scaffolds. Swelling tests were conducted to evaluate pore size, shape, and their suitability for cell attachment. Additionally, Young's modulus and solubility tests were carried out to determine the scaffolds' flexibility and structural stability during long-term culture. Finally, cell attachment assays were performed to examine the scaffolds' biological performance.

Results

The solution formulation was optimized for fiber production, exhibiting shear-thinning behavior suitable for manufacturing. FTIR analysis confirmed the successful combination of fish collagen, fish gelatin, and chitosan in the scaffolds. Pore size analysis showed minimal changes in FC/C, significant pore formation in FG/C, and intermediate characteristics in FCG/C after swelling. Swelling tests revealed substantial swelling in FG/C and FCG/C due to gelatin's water absorption, while FC/C showed minimal swelling. Mechanical tests demonstrated FG/C had the highest Young’s Modulus and lowest solubility, indicating superior mechanical integrity. FG/C also showed the highest cell attachment, making it a highly promising scaffold for cultivated fish.

Significance

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of marine-derived materials and the innovative "slime webbing" technique in scaffold fabrication. It also highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between the physicochemical properties of scaffolds and their biological performance, providing valuable insights for advancing scaffold design in cultivated seafood production.

Authors: Sangeun Park, Jin-Kyu Rhee