PLA/chitosan/keratin composites for biomedical applications

•PLA, chitosan and keratin composites are prepared by blend preparation.•PLA, chitosan and keratin composites present improved mechanical properties and water uptake compare to PLA.•PLA, chitosan and keratin composites present good in vitro behavior.

Novel composites based on PLA, chitosan and keratin was obtained via blend preparation. The goal of this contribution was to evaluate mechanical and in vitro behavior of the composites. The results point out composites with improved Young modulus and decreased tensile strength, significant increase in hardness (compared to PLA) and a good uptake of the surface properties. Biological assessments using human osteosarcoma cell line on these composites indicate a good viability/proliferation outcome. Hence preliminary results regarding mechanical behavior and in vitro osteoblast response suggest that these composites might have prospective application in medical field.