Synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility studies of α-chitin hydrogel/nano hydroxyapatite composite
P T Sudheesh Kumar1, Sowmya Srinivasan, Vinoth-Kumar Lakshmanan
1Amrita Centre for Nanosciences and Molecular Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham University, Kochi 682041, India.
Abstract:
α-chitin hydrogel/nano hydroxyapatite (nHAp) composite scaffold have been synthesized by freeze-drying approach with nHAp and α-chitin hydrogel. The prepared nHAp and nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized using DLS, SEM, FT-IR, XRD and TGA studies. The porosity, swelling, degradation, protein adsorption and biomineralization (calcification) of the prepared nanocomposite scaffolds were evaluated. Cell viability, attachment and proliferation were investigated using MG 63, Vero, NIH 3T3 and nHDF cells to confirm that the nanocomposite scaffolds were cytocompatible and cells were found to attach and spread on the scaffolds. All the results suggested that these scaffolds can be used for bone and wound tissue engineering.
