An in vitro evaluation of zinc silicate fortified chitosan scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Tissue engineering aims at replacement, repair, and regeneration of tissues by a combination of scaffolds, growth factors, and cells. In this study, we report the synthesis of biodegradable composite scaffolds fortified with mesoporous zinc silicate (mZS) and assessment of in vitro properties for bone tissue engineering (BTE) applications. The scaffolds consisted of chitosan (CS) incorporated with mZS at 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5 wt%. The bio-composite scaffolds were visualized using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The incorporation of mZS was confirmed using Energy dispersive x-ray (EDS) analysis. Biomineralization studies were conducted in simulated body fluid (SBF) and indicated bioactivity of fabricated scaffolds. The scaffolds also displayed antibacterial action against Staphylococcus aureus. Cellular attachment within the scaffold network established biocompatibility of the material. Incorporation of mZS within the chitosan scaffolds matrix improved properties such as porosity, degradation rate, and biomineralization. Therefore, fabricated scaffolds exhibit exceptional features and have the potential to serve as an implant for BTE applications.