3D Printed Eggshell Microparticle-Laden Thermoplastic Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing is vital in tissue engineering for creating complex, personalized structures.
• Developing cost-effective biomaterials with specific properties remains a significant challenge.
• Conventional biomaterials often lack the desired mechanical and biological integration for bone regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create sustainable, affordable, and personalized bone-graft materials using 3D printing.
• To investigate the reinforcement of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds with eggshell microparticles (ESPs).
• To evaluate the physicochemical, mechanical, and in vitro biological properties of the developed biocomposite scaffolds.

Main Methods:

• Extrusion-based 3D printing was used to fabricate PCL scaffolds with varying ESP concentrations (0–50% w/w).
• Physicochemical properties were analyzed using SEM, FTIR, TGA, DSC, and XRD.
• Mechanical strength was tested via compression, degradation kinetics via accelerated testing, and in vitro cell behavior (MC3T3-E1) over 14 days using Alamar blue, confocal imaging, and qPCR.

Main Results:

• The addition of ESPs significantly altered the physicochemical properties of the PCL scaffolds.
• Mechanical testing demonstrated the potential for enhanced load-bearing capacity.
• In vitro studies showed good cytocompatibility and osteogenic potential of the ESP-reinforced PCL scaffolds.
• Degradation rates varied with ESP concentration, indicating tunable material lifetime.

Conclusions:

• 3D printed biocomposite scaffolds of PCL reinforced with ESPs offer a sustainable and affordable approach for bone tissue engineering.
• These materials show significant potential as alternatives for bone-graft applications.
• The study highlights the feasibility of using unconventional biomaterials like eggshells in personalized medicine.