Desenvolvimento e caracterização de biomaterial de pele de tilápia-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758))

Abstract

The use of aquaculture by-products for the development of biomaterials has emerged as a promising strategy for innovation in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Among these materials, the skin of Oreochromis niloticus stands out due to its high type I collagen content, mechanical strength, and potential biocompatibility, characteristics that make it a relevant candidate for biomedical applications. Simultaneously, the expansion of tilapia farming has generated a large volume of this by-product, which is traditionally discarded, thereby reinforcing the importance of studies focused on its technological and scientific valorization. In this context, the aim of this thesis was to develop and characterize a biomaterial derived from Nile tilapia skin through processing and decellularization protocols capable of preserving the extracellular matrix and reducing tissue antigenicity, with the objective of its potential application as a biological scaffold for tissue engineering. Initially, a literature review was conducted on extracellular matrix biomaterials and on the clinical applications of tilapia skin, addressing structural aspects, biological properties, and experimental and clinical evidence associated with its use. The review demonstrated that tilapia skin presents an organized collagen architecture and physicochemical properties compatible with natural biomaterials used in tissue repair, in addition to showing promising results in clinical applications, especially in the treatment of burns and skin wounds. In the experimental stage, tilapia skins were subjected to processing and decellularization protocols, followed by structural, physicochemical, genetic, and microbiological characterization. The integrity of the extracellular matrix and the removal of cellular components were evaluated through histological analyses and scanning electron microscopy. Physicochemical characterization included Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry, allowing investigation of thermal stability and structural preservation of collagen after processing. Additionally, DNA extraction and quantification, as well as microbiological evaluations for the detection, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility profiling of bacteria associated with the samples, were performed. The results demonstrated that the developed protocol promoted effective removal of cellular components, significant reduction in total DNA content, and preservation of the collagenous microarchitecture of the dermis. Spectroscopic and thermoanalytical analyses indicated maintenance of the main structural signatures of collagen and thermal stability compatible with collagen-rich biological matrices. Microbiological evaluations demonstrated elimination of the microbiota in the treated samples, reinforcing the biological safety of the obtained material. Taken together, the findings confirm the potential of tilapia skin as a sustainable source for obtaining biologically safe and structurally stable biomaterials, contributing to the advancement of the development of biological matrices intended for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.