Modified five times simulated body fluid for efficient biomimetic mineralization.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Biomineralization
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Simulated body fluid (SBF) is crucial for assessing biomaterial mineralization in research.
• Conventional SBF systems lack pH stability and can form unwanted precipitates due to CO2 release.
• Developing stable SBF mineralization systems is essential for accurate preclinical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an efficient and stable SBF mineralization system.
• To investigate the biomineralization of polymer-aligned nanofibrous scaffolds using a novel SBF formulation.
• To evaluate the suitability of the new SBF system for predicting bone-bonding bioactivity.

Main Methods:

• A five times concentrated SBF (5x SBF) solution buffered by 5% CO2 was prepared.
• Polymer-aligned nanofibrous scaffolds were subjected to mineralization in the developed 5x SBF.
• Characterization of mineralized scaffolds using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.
• In vitro cell studies assessed cell attachment, alignment, and proliferation on biomineralized scaffolds.

Main Results:

• The 5x SBF buffered by 5% CO2 achieved stable pH and promoted heterogeneous apatite growth on scaffolds.
• SEM and EDX confirmed the formation of apatite with a high calcium-to-phosphate ratio, resembling natural bone.
• XRD and FTIR analyses identified the mineral as carbonated hydroxyapatite with low crystallinity.
• Biomineralized scaffolds exhibited excellent in vitro cell attachment, alignment, and proliferation.

Conclusions:

• The 5x SBF buffered by 5% CO2 is an effective system for scaffold biomineralization in bone tissue engineering.
• This SBF system provides a stable and efficient method for creating bone-like mineral microstructures.
• The developed SBF system serves as a valuable model for predicting the bone-bonding bioactivity of biomaterials.