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 im- plant integration in a bone is to develop surface nanocoatings with plant-derived polysaccharides able to increase adhe- sion of bone cells to the implant surface. The aim of the present study was to physically characterize and compare poly- styrene and titanium surfaces nanocoated with different Rhamnogalacturonan-Is (RG-I) and to visualize RG-I nano- coatings. 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 measure- ments 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 compari- son 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.