Biocompatibility is a major challenge for successful application of many biomaterials. In this study the ability to coat chemically and enzymatically activated poly(L-lactic acid) (PLA) membranes with heat denatured human serum albumin to improve biocompatibility was investigated. PLA membranes hydrolyzed with NaOH or cutinase and then treated with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide, hydrochloride (EDAC) as a heterobifunctional cross-linker promoted the coupling -COOH groups on PLA membranes and -NH2 groups of heat denatured human serum albumin. This resulted in increased hydrophilicity (lowest water contact angles of 43 degrees and 35 degrees) and highest antioxidant activity (quenching of 79 mu M and 115 mu M tetramethylazobisquinone (TMAMQ) for NaOH and cutinase pretreated membranes, respectively). FTIR analysis of modified PLA membranes showed new peaks attributed to human serum albumin (amide bond, NH2 and side chain stretching) appearing within 3600-3000 cm(-1) and 1700-1500 cm(-1) (Fig. 3). MU studies also showed that osteoblasts-like and MC-3T3-E1 cells viability increased 2.4 times as compared to untreated PLA membranes. The study therefore shows that this strategy of modifying the surfaces of PLA polymers could significantly improve biocompatibility. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.