Mesoporous calcium phosphate using casein as a template: Application to bovine serum albumin sorption

Mesoporous hydroxyapatites were synthesized at room temperature using casein as a template, and key experimental factors, such as casein concentration, pH and extraction of casein in the final solids by washing and thermal treatment, were systematically investigated. The X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed the synthesis of well-crystallized hydroxyapatite. The N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms were in agreement with the formation of mesoporous hydroxyapatite with a maximum surface area of 106m²g^-1. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetry analysis were performed to investigate the extraction of casein in water in the post-synthesis stage. Pure mesoporous hydroxyapatite exhibited good BSA adsorption capacity higher than the one obtained for conventional hydroxyapatite.