2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (28): 5957-5967

Techniques and performance of biominerals for fabricating bone tissue engineering scaffolds

Gang Fangli, Dang Zhongxiu, Li Ruiyun, Li Xiao, Sun Xiaoyang   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In recent years, methods for incorporating biominerals into bone tissue engineering scaffolds have been extensively studied, including solvent casting, freeze-drying, and 3D printing. However, the diverse types and complex compositions of biominerals lead to varying impacts on scaffold performance and differing requirements for fabrication processes, necessitating systematic research on their applicability.
OBJECTIVE: To explore biomineral grinding and screening processes, and evaluate their solution rheological properties, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility when prepared as composite materials with polymer materials.
METHODS: Five representative biominerals were selected, including turtle shell, eggshell, cuttlebone, deer antler, and pearl. These were ground into powders and screened, then mixed with polycaprolactone in specific proportions to prepare composite materials. The feasibility of applying biominerals in bone tissue engineering was explored by testing the elemental composition and particle size distribution of the powder, as well as the solution rheological properties, hydrophilicity, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility of the composite material.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Most biomineral powders followed the rule that the longer the grinding time, the smaller the particle size. The desired particle size range could be obtained through methods such as sieving. Elemental mapping and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy analyses indicated that the main inorganic mineral components of these five biominerals were calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate, containing the elements C, O, P, and Ca. (2) The method of dissolving polycaprolactone in 1,4-dioxane and adding biomineral powders to prepare scaffolds did not significantly alter the composite material composition and did not reduce biocompatibility. The addition of biomineral powders improved the hydrophilicity and 3D printability of polycaprolactone materials but decreased their mechanical properties. (3) These findings suggest that when applying biomineral powders to bone tissue engineering scaffolds, the proportion of powder added should be carefully chosen to balance hydrophilicity, printability, and mechanical properties.

Key words: regenerative medicine, tissue engineering scaffold, biomineral, polycaprolactone, hydrophilicity, cytocompatibility, mechanical property, engineered bone material