Quantification of entrapped model protein released during electrospun nanofiber degradation

This protein release study investigated the use of poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibrous matrices loaded with bovine serum albumin to model protein delivery. Samples were placed in phosphate buffered saline for an eight week degradation and protein release study. Each week samples were removed, massed, and protein content quantified from the degradation solution. As expected, the PCL samples did not lose substantial mass over 8 weeks, but total protein released was approximately 5.7% by week 1, and 15% by week 8. Results from this study will be used to model the required loading of various growth factors for controlled delivery during future in vitro ligament cell culture studies.