3D Bioprintability of Konjac Glucomannan Hydrogel

Abstract

Konjac glucomannan has potential applications in bio-printing, due to its unique properties, such as high viscosity, water-holding capacity and easy gelatinization. In this study, the rheological properties, i.e. the viscosity with changing the shear rate and the storage modulus G’ and loss modulus G’’ curve, of different concentrations of konjac gum hydrogel, were thoroughly measured. Furthermore, the pore sizes of various concentrated konjac gum hydrogel were observed under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The bio-printability of konjac gum hydrogel was thoroughly evaluated using piston-type 3D bio-printer. It was showed that, 7% konjac gum hydrogel demonstrated the best bio-printability, which has potentially applied as scaffold materials in bio-printing field.