Characterization of Pectin Nanocoatings at Polystyrene and Titanium Surfaces

The titanium implant surface plays a crucial role for implant incorporation into bone. A new strategy to improve implant integration in a bone is to develop surface nanocoatings with plant-derived polysaccharides able to increase adhesion
of bone cells to the implant surface. The aim of the present study was to physically characterize and compare polystyrene and titanium surfaces nanocoated with different Rhamnogalacturonan-Is (RG-I) and to visualize RG-I nanocoatings.
RG-Is from potato and apple were coated on aminated surfaces of polystyrene, titianium discs and titanium implants. To characterize, compare and visualize the surface nanocoatings measurements of contact angle measurements and surface roughness with atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy was performed. We found that, both unmodified and enzymatic modified RG-Is influenced surface wettability, without any major effect on surface roughness (Sa, Sdr). Furthermore, we demonstrated that it is possible to visualize the pectin RG-Is molecules and even the nanocoatings on titanium surfaces, which have not been presented before. The comparison between polystyrene and titanium surface showed that the used material affected the physical properties of non-coated and coated surfaces. RG-Is should be considered as a candidate for new materials as organic nanocoatings for biomaterials in order to improve bone healing.