Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity studies of novel beta-chitin scaffolds for tissue-engineering applications

Int J Biol Macromol. 2008 Jun 1;42(5):463-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2008.03.002. Epub 2008 Mar 18.

Abstract

Chitin is a biopolymer and it is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. Chitin has many potential industrial applications because of its abundance, biodegradability, non-toxicity, chemical inertness. beta-Chitin scaffolds were prepared by using saturated calcium chloride alcoholic solution (CaCl(2).6H(2)O/EtOH) and then followed by dialysis with lyophilization. The prepared beta-chitin scaffolds were characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric (TGA). The preliminary bioactivity studies of beta-chitin scaffolds were studied by using simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 7, 14 and 21 days. We also immersed the beta-chitin scaffolds in saturated aqueous CaCl(2) and Na(2)HPO(4) solution over 12h. After 7, 14 and 21 days, the scaffolds were characterized by SEM and FT-IR studies. The SEM studies showed that there is a calcium phosphate layer in the surface as well as in the cross-section of beta-chitin scaffolds. It seems that the beta-chitin scaffolds are useful in the tissue-engineering field.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chitin / chemical synthesis*
  • Chitin / chemistry
  • Chitin / ultrastructure
  • Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
  • Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
  • Surface Properties
  • Temperature
  • Tissue Engineering

Substances

  • Chitin