Modulation, functionality, and cytocompatibility of three-dimensional printing materials made from chitosan-based polysaccharide composites

•Novel composites are presented for the fabrication of 3D printing strips.•Modified PLA and CS composites exhibited better mechanical properties.•The PLA and chitosan composites facilitated excellent cell viability production.•The composites displayed good antibacterial behavior.

The mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) printing strips of composite materials containing polylactide (PLA) and chitosan (CS) were evaluated. Maleic anhydride-grafted polylactide (PLA-g-MA) and CS were used to enhance the desired characteristics of these composites. The PLA-g-MA/CS materials exhibited better mechanical properties than the PLA/CS composites; this effect was attributed to a greater compatibility between the grafted polyester and CS. The water resistance of the PLA-g-MA/CS composites was greater than that of the PLA/CS composites; cytocompatibility evaluation with human foreskin fibroblasts (FBs) indicated that both materials were nontoxic. Moreover, CS enhanced the antibacterial activity properties of PLA-g-MA and PLA/CS composites.

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