Nanocomposite scaffolds of bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles disseminated chitosan matrix for tissue engineering applications

A novel nanocomposite scaffold of chitosan (CS) and bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles (nBGC) was prepared by blending nBGC with chitosan solution followed by lyophilization technique. The particle size of the prepared nBGC was found to be 100 nm. The prepared composite scaffolds were characterized using techniques Such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM studies showed that the bioactive nBGC were homogenously distributed within the chitosan matrix. The swelling, density, degradation and in-vitro biomineralization studies of the composite scaffolds were also studied. The composite scaffolds showed adequate swelling and degradation properties. The in-vitro biomineralization studies confirmed the bioactivity nature of the composite scaffolds. Cytocompatability of the composite scaffolds were assessed by MTT assay, direct contact test and cell attachment studies. Results indicated no toxicity, and cells attached and spread on the pore walls offered by the scaffolds. These results indicate that composite scaffolds developed using nBGC disseminated chitosan matrix as potential scaffolds for tissue engineering applications. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.