Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial analysis of metal-doped (Zn2+ and Ag+) brushite powder for bone regeneration

Abstract

Brushite, or Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (CaHPO4·2H2O), is a well-known calcium phosphate (CaP) found in mineralized tissues and is utilized in medical treatment, particularly in bone powder for bone repair. Brushites with Zn2+ and Ag + ions concentration were synthesized in an aqueous solution using the conventional precipitation procedure. The synthesized brushites were characterized using techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and bioassays were carried out to evaluate their antibacterial and antifungal activities. The alterations in PXRD and FTIR peak locations demonstrated that zinc and silver ions were effectively inserted into the brushite crystals. Initial tests revealed that the powders were innocuous, which make them potentially beneficial for mineralized tissue engineering. These brushites exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activities. Zn-doped brushite completely controlled the growth of fungi namely Macrophomina phaseolina and Sclerotium rolfsii at a concentration of 0.0039 mg mL−1 while Ag-doped brushite completely arrested the growth of these fungi at 0.0312 and 0.0039 mg mL−1, respectively. Likewise, both the brushite exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against Bacillus thuringiensis and moderate activity against Escherichia coli. Brushite compounds coupled with active metal ions, notably Ag+ and Zn2+, demonstrated promise as a distinct class of reactive materials for bone-related applications.