Investigation of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity properties of modified hemp fiber filled PLA biocomposites

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the biocompatibility and toxicity of biodegradable composites reinforced with hemp fibers in a polylactic acid (PLA) matrix. To enhance the compatibility of hemp fibers with PLA, various polymer structures, including maleic anhydride (MA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), were incorporated. Additionally, surface modification of hemp fibers was carried out using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and 3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyl trimethoxy silane (APTES) to improve interfacial adhesion. The in vitro biocompatibility and genotoxicity of the produced composites were evaluated using L-929 fibroblast and CHO-K1 cell lines. In the cytotoxicity tests, cells were exposed to composite extracts for 24 h, after which viability rates were determined to assess possible toxic effects. Genotoxicity tests were performed to examine potential DNA damage induced by the composites. The results demonstrated that the hemp fiber-reinforced PLA composites exhibited high biocompatibility, with cell viability reaching up to 120%, while no DNA damage was observed in genotoxicity analyses. These findings indicate that the developed composites are non-toxic and have promising potential for biomedical applications. However, further in vivo studies are required to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their long-term biocompatibility and safety profile.