Effect of frozen storage time on decellularization, mechanical strength and stability of porcine acellular dermis

BACKGROUND: The industrial scale frozen storage of porcine hides for the production of acellular dermal matrix is maintained typically below −20°C until processing. OBJECTIVE: The study was aimed to examine the influence of frozen storage time on decellularization of porcine dermis, as well as the mechanical strength and stability of the yielded acellular dermal matrix. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Porcine hides were stored at freezers maintained between −20°C and −25°C up to 37 months. Hides were split and dermis tissues were decellularized to produce acellular dermal matrix. The residual DNA content, biomechanical strength and thermal stability of acellular dermal matrix were measured for evaluating the influence of the frozen storage time. RESULTS: The residual DNA content increased gradually as the frozen storage time prolonged (p= 0.008). Tensile strength decreased after 24‐month frozen storage (p = 0.006). Breaking strain, burst strength, denaturation temperature and denaturation enthalpy showed no significant change after frozen storage between −20°C and −25°C up to 37 months. CONCLUSION: Frozen storage time of porcine hides appears to affect the efficiency of decellularization and may also reduce the tensile strength after an extended period of frozen storage between −20°C and −25°C. Hides should be processed as soon as possible after collection and/or the maximal duration of frozen storage should be validated to meet the technical requirements for intended product application.