Freeze dried cross linking free biodegradable composites with microstructures for tissue engineering and drug delivery application

Biodegradable laminated polymer composites of agarose (A), gelatin (G) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) having 3D network of interconnected pores (1–500 μm) were fabricated without using cross linking agents. The incorporation of HAp to A, G and AG had considerable influence on the swelling behaviour, drug release and haemolytic activity. A-HAp scaffolds demonstrated interconnected porosity with extended drug release. G-HAp scaffolds possessed enhanced mechanical property. AG-HAp scaffolds exhibited extended drug delivery, haemocompatibility and efficacy against Gram positive bacteria compared with G-HAp. Hence, AG-HAp composites could be used us a scaffold for tissue engineering and drug delivery system. This method provides non toxic, versatile and cost effective biodegradable scaffolds which could be used for various biomedical applications.

► 2D and 3D scaffolds were fabricated without cross-linking agents.
► The scaffolds were free from undesirable by-products and cost effective.
► Gelatin-HAp scaffolds showed enhanced mechanical property and efficacy against S. aureus.
► Agarose-HAp scaffolds exhibited extended drug release and high swelling ratio.
► Low degradation of agarose-gelatin-HAp scaffolds.