Synthesis, characterization and bioactivity studies of novel β-chitin scaffolds for tissue-engineering applications

Chitin is a biopolymer and it is non-toxic, biodegradable and biocompatible. Chitin has many potential industrial applications because of its abundance, biodegradability, non-toxicity, chemical inertness. β-Chitin scaffolds were prepared by using saturated calcium chloride alcoholic solution (CaCl2·6H2O/EtOH) and then followed by dialysis with lyophilization. The prepared β-chitin scaffolds were characterized by FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric (TGA). The preliminary bioactivity studies of β-chitin scaffolds were studied by using simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for 7, 14 and 21 days. We also immersed the β-chitin scaffolds in saturated aqueous CaCl2 and Na2HPO4 solution over 12 h. After 7, 14 and 21 days, the scaffolds were characterized by SEM and FT-IR studies. The SEM studies showed that there is a calcium phosphate layer in the surface as well as in the cross-section of β-chitin scaffolds. It seems that the β-chitin scaffolds are useful in the tissue-engineering field.