Thermoreversible behavior of κ-carrageenan and its apatite-forming ability in simulated body fluid

Osteoconductive materials with self-setting ability have received much attention because their properties allow developing injectable materials for bone defects. Thermosensitive hydrogel with ability of bone-like apatite formation in a body environment is a candidate of injectable bone fillers with osteoconductivity because the apatite formation on materials is an essential to show osteoconduction. The present study focused on the development of a thermosensitive hydrogel through modifications of the sulphonic groups of the polysaccharide, κ-carrageenan, with potassium chloride (KCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). We found that the gelation temperature of κ-carrageenan solutions increased with increasing amounts of K+ ions. Apatite formation was observed on the gel after exposure to simulated body fluid for 0.5 day when the gel was prepared with a molar ratio of Ca2+/sulfonic groups = 1.5. These results indicate that a thermosensitive κ-carrageenan hydrogel with apatite-forming ability was obtained through the incorporation of K+ and Ca2+ ions into the solution.

► We evaluated apatite-forming ability of κ-carrageenan by addition of K+ and Ca2+.
► The transformation temperature of κ-carrageenan into hydrogel was controlled by K+ ions.
► The apatite-forming ability of κ-carrageenan can be controlled by calcium addition.