Author(s)

Li Chen, Yifei Long, Junli Zhao, Wei Wang, Haiyan Liang, Qiuxin Liu

Corresponding Author

Qiuxin Liu

Abstract

In this study, a simple and effective technique was developed to synthesize chitosan-silk sericin /hydroxyapatite nanocomposites by in situ precipitation. SEM showed that the rod-like hydroxyapatite particles with a diameter of 20-50 nm were distributed homogeneously within the chitosan-silk sericin matrix. The result of XRD indicated that the inorganic phase in the nanocomposite was carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite with low crystallinity. In vitro cytocompatibility of the nanocomposite was evaluated by SEM through MG63 osteoblast cells cultured on the samples, which demonstrated that they are non-toxic and support cell growth. These results suggest that the chitosan-silk sericin/hydroxyapatite nanocomposites are promising biomaterials for bone tissue engineering.

Keywords

Chitosan, Silk Sericin, Hydroxyapatite, Bone Tissue Engineering