Biomimetic Mineralization in External Layer of Decalcified Fish Scale

The mineralization process of the osseous layer, which is highly calcified in vivo, was successfully imitated by the immersion process of the decalcified fish scales in simplified simulated body fluid (SSBF). An alkali treatment was used to modify the native collagen in the decalcified Tilapia fish scale. After the alkali treatment, the mineralization was facilitated in SSBF. The XRD patterns and SEM-EDS observation results demonstrated that the externally-mineralized layers by the immersion process were highly similar to the osseous layer containing lower-crystalline hydroxyapatite, suggesting that the simple biomimetic precipitation process was developed.

Automated summary

The mineralization process of highly calcified osseous layers in vivo was successfully imitated by immersing decalcified fish scales in simplified simulated body fluid. A simple biomimetic precipitation process was developed, resulting in externally-mineralized layers similar to the osseous layer containing lower-crystalline hydroxyapatite.