Calorimetric Studies on Thermal Properties of Nano-Cryoprotectant Solutions during Vitrification

BACKGROUND: Vitrification, the ice-free cryopreservation, develops rapidly and can become an ideal method for long-term preservation of cells and tissues. But up to now it is not practical for samples with large size because of the ultra-rapid cooling rate required. It has been reported that nanoparticles improve heat conductivity of solutions.

In this study, Hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles（20, 40 or 60nm）at 0.1 %, 0.5 % or 1 % (w/w) were added into glycerol solutions. Glass transition temperature and devitrification temperature of aqueous glycerol solutions with/without HA nanoparticles were measured by a differential scanning calorimeter(DSC) at a cooling rate of 150 degree C/min and a warming rate of 10 degree C/ min.

Glass-transition temperatures and devitrification temperatures of glycerol aqueous solutions increased after the incorporation of HA nanoparticles. In the study using slow cooling rate of 10 degree C/min and warming rate of 5 degree C/min, the fraction of unfrozen water in the 50 % (w/w) glycerol solution increases steadily with the addition of HA nanoparticles. The findings have significant implications for biomaterial cryopreservation.