Calcium ion release and osteoblastic behavior of gelatin/beta-tricalcium phosphate composite nanofibers fabricated by electrospinning

Gelatin/β-TCP composite nanofibers were fabricated by incorporated different content of β-TCP nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, and 20 wt.%) into electrospun gelatin nanofibers. The morphology and chemical structure of the composite nanofibers were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, and TGA techniques. Especially, calcium ion release behaviors from the composite nanofibers were investigated in the cell culture medium and correlated to the osteoblastic behavior of MG-63 cells. The results demonstrated that the adhesion, spreading, proliferation and the early osteogenic differentiation of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells on the composite nanofibers depended positively on the content of incorporated β-TCP nanoparticles and their dissolution behavior in the medium thereof.

► Gelatin/β-TCP composite nanofibers were prepared by a electrospining method.
► Calcium ions release behavior of the composite nanofibers was investigated quantitatively.
► Protein adsorption and osteoblastic behavior on the composite nanofibers were performed.
► The protein affinity and solubility of β-TCP made them good components for fabricating composite bone tissue engineering scaffolds.