Abstract
In this study, bio-scaffolds have been developed using irradiated chitosan from different sources - squid pen (RS) and crab shell (RC) - with hydroxyapatite/beta-tricalcium phosphate (HA/beta-TCP) at a chitosan/HA/beta-TCP ratio of 50/30/20. The bio-scaffolds were prepared at two different freezing temperature (-20 degrees C and -80 degrees C) followed by lyophilisation. To enhance the mechanical properties, the bio-scaffolds were cross-linked using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) followed by lyophilisation. The composition and morphology of the bio-scaffolds were characterized using XRD, SEM, TEM and mu-CT. The pore size of the porous scaffolds ranged from 90 to 220 mu m and the scaffolds had 70-80% porosity. The scaffolds had a water uptake ratio of more than 10, and a controlled biodegradation in the range of 30-40%. These results suggest that the physical and biological properties of chitosan-based bio-scaffolds can be a promising biomaterial for bone-tissue regeneration. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.