Effect of Sericin Protein on Growth of Hydroxyapatite over Surface of Silk Fibers Using Simulated Body Fluid

Abstract

Crystal of hydroxyapatite (HAp) was grown on silk fibers using simulated body fluid (SBF) at a temperature of 37 °C. Effect of SBF concentrations and sericin protein on the growth of HAp crystals on the silk fiber was discussed. The results showed that sericin protein was an important parameter to induce HAp crystals. Furthermore, the crystal was grown perfectly for both 1.0 and 1.5  standard SBF concentrations but difference in HAp crystal size. Sericin protein may lower nucleation barrier and high surface area to absorb SBF for HAp nucleation. These results may be a new research topic on HAp crystallization using protein as a seed. It may lead to further improvement and applied for many HAp-based biomaterial applications.