FIOS BIODEGRADÁVEIS DE QUITOSANA COM MEMBRANA TESTÁCEA DO OVO DE GALINHA (Gallus gallus domesticus) RETICULADOS COM RIBOFLAVINA

BIODEGRADABLE CHITOSAN THREADS WITH CHICKEN EGG TEST MEMBRANE (Gallus gallus domesticus) CROSSLINKED WITH RIBOFLAVIN. Absorbable sutures are used to provide temporary support to tissue during healing, degrading in the body and not requiring surgical removal. However, some have low biocompatibility, are difficult to handle and undergo uncontrolled degradation. Natural biomaterials, such as chitosan and egg testis membrane, appear as promising alternatives. This study evaluated the effect of adding testis membrane powder to biodegradable suture threads, analyzing physicochemical, mechanical and biological properties, in addition to the use of riboflavin and ultraviolet (UV) light as crosslinking agents. The samples were subjected to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), tensile strength, swelling degree and cytotoxicity tests. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of crosslinks (C–O–C and C=N), which increased the structural stability of the threads. EDS spectroscopy revealed a higher concentration of nitrogen in the crosslinked samples. Morphological analyses indicated denser and more uniform surfaces, and crosslinking improved mechanical properties. The incorporation of testate membrane powder into chitosan threads, together with the crosslinking process, demonstrated significant improvements in the studied properties, indicating the potential of these threads in absorbable sutures.