Physicochemical and Biological Properties of Hydrogel/Gelatin/Hydroxyapatite PAA/G/HAp/AgNPs Composites Modified with Silver Nanoparticles

Composites comprising biodegradable polymer matrix, bioactive ceramic fillers and metallic nanoparticles can be applied in the substitution of bone tissue and many others medical and dental applications. Recently, fully resorbable composite materials applicable as bone substitutes are the subject of intensive studies in surgical reconstruction and bone tissue engineering. Biological composites, such as bone and teeth, contain hydroxyapatite (HAp), a mineral component with composition Ca-10(PO4)(6)(OH)(2). Silver nanoparticles or silver ions have long been known to have strong inhibitory and bactericidal effects as well as a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. In this study we applied natural origin hydroxyapatite obtained from pork bone sludge. As polymer matrix gelatin and poly(acrylic acid) were used. Composite materials were obtained with the use of microwave irradiation. The influence of metallic nanoparticles presence on the degradation process of composite materials was investigated by pH and conductivity analyses of water filtrates. In vitro tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) and artificial saliva confirmed that it is possible to produce hydroxyapatite/polymer composites doped with silver nanoparticles for medical applications. Tests proved that content of silver nanoparticles in composites had influence on degradation behaviour of HA/Polymer/AgNPs in artificial media such as simulated body fluid and saliva.