Biomimetic mineralisation on cellulose/cuttlebone scaffolds

Abstract

The impact of cuttlebone microparticles on the in vitro bioactivity and physical-chemical characteristics of cellulose-based scaffolds during biomimetic mineralisation in a simulated body fluid (SBF) was studied. In vitro bioactivity of cellulose/cuttlebone scaffolds was shown, because hydroxyapatite precursors were formed on the surface of scaffolds during soaking in SBF. It was also shown that the incorporation of cuttlebone microparticles into the cellulose-based matrix positively affected the physical-chemical properties of scaffolds, such as water retention, swelling degree and degradation profile (by means of weight loss). Additionally, neutral pH values of SBF during the prolonged soaking (up to 24 weeks) of scaffolds clearly argued in favour of developed scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications.