Eggshell Based Nano-Engineered Hydroxyapatite and Poly(lactic) Acid Electrospun Fibers as Potential Tissue Scaffold

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Developing advanced biomaterials is crucial for effective tissue regeneration.
• Poly(lactic) acid (PLA) is a biocompatible polymer, but its properties can be enhanced for specific applications.
• Hydroxyapatite (HA) is a key component of bone, making it an attractive material for bone tissue engineering.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate and characterize nanocomposite electrospun fibers using poly(lactic) acid (PLA) and eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (EnHA) nanoparticles.
• To evaluate the suitability of these fibers as scaffolds for tissue regeneration.

Main Methods:

• Nanocomposite fibers were fabricated via electrospinning PLA and needle-like EnHA nanoparticles.
• Material characterization included X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic scanning calorimetry (DSC).
• Mechanical properties were assessed using tensile testing, and cell attachment was evaluated using osteoblast cells.

Main Results:

• EnHA nanoparticles were highly crystalline, needle-like (10-20 nm diameter, 100-200 nm length), and integrated into PLA fibers.
• The PLA/EnHA fibers exhibited porous surfaces conducive to cell attachment.
• Incorporation of EnHA enhanced the thermal and mechanical properties of PLA fibers.
• Osteoblast cells successfully attached and exhibited cytoplasmic extensions on the fibers, indicating good biocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• Eggshell-based nanohydroxyapatite and poly(lactic) acid fibers demonstrate excellent potential as scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
• The enhanced mechanical and thermal properties, along with cell compatibility, make these nanocomposites promising for biomedical applications.