Natural hydroxyapatite-based nanobiocomposites and their biomaterials-to-cell interaction for bone tissue engineering

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is an extensively used biomaterial for dental and orthopaedic applications because of its biocompatibility and biomimetic nature. HA is extensively used as a bone-graft substitute. HA bone graft substitutes of bovine or synthetic origins have been extensively studied. However, caprine-based HA has not been explored. In this study, we aimed to determine the utilization of goat bone-derived HA for commercial applications. HA from caprine bone and teeth was isolated using thermal calcination. The developed HA can be used as a bone graft substitute. Chemical characterization of the isolated HA was carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The biocompatibility and apatite formation of isolated HA were assessed using MG-63 cells, MC3T3-E1, L929 cells, MSCs, adipose derived stem cells, human dermal tissue derived fibroblast cells and osteoblast-like cell line, The studies demonstrate that HA support cell adhesion and osteogenic properties. To improve sheep, lamp, or caprine bone-derived HA, several other composites have been developed with MgO₂, ZrO_2, ZnO_2, and other polymeric substances. 3D printed technology was used to develop a bioink using sheep-derived HA and printed the composite scaffold as a bone graft substitute. Furthermore, the biomedical applications of sheep-derived HA been studied in terms of their antimicrobial activity, bone-forming ability, and wound healing applications. Sheep-, goat-, and caprine-derived HA are still underutilized and require further research to develop commercial possibilities and sustainable raw materials for HA-based bone graft substitutes.