EFFECT OF Β-TRICALCIUM PHOSPHATE ELEMENTAL IMPURITIES ON THE ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY OF CHITOSAN–GELATIN–ΒTCP COMPOSITE SCAFFOLD

Abstract

This study aims to fabricate composite a scaffold using a mixture of chitosan-gelatin and limestone-extracted βTCP for better antibacterial properties. Limestone is abundantly available in nature and can provide calcium in the production of calcium phosphate (CaP) materials. However, the elemental impurities present in limestone-extracted βTCP may affect the properties of the CaP-fabricated scaffolds. βTCP powder could be used to fabricate bone scaffold using calcination and wet precipitation method. For example, the preparation of βTCP powder involved the transformation of calcium carbonate in limestone to calcium hydroxide, followed by a reaction with phosphoric acid and sintering treatment to form βTCP. In order to fabricate the scaffold, chitosan was first dissolved in acetic acid and then mixed with a gelatin-in-water solution, followed by adding βTCP powder (limestone-extracted βTCP and commercial βTCP). Then, the mixture was placed in a mold and freeze-dried. Our method improved the antibacterial activity of chitosan–gelatin–βTCP compared to the chitosan–gelatin scaffold. Limestone-extracted βTCP also exhibited higher inhibitory action against bacteria than commercial βTCP. This method's effectiveness evaluation was confirmed by the measurement of X-ray fluorescence analysis, which showed that βTCP scaffolds had more antibacterial elements than the chitosan–gelatin scaffold. These new research results contribute to enhanced antibacterial properties of the material due to elemental impurities in βTCP, especially the limestone-extracted βTCP. However, further evaluation on controlling βTCP impurities is essential for better outcomes in clinical applications.