Bioactive cellulose grafted soy protein isolate towards biomimetic calcium phosphate mineralization

•Sustainable and bioactive material was prepared via cellulose dialdehyde modification with SPI.•Cellulose grafted SPI initiates rods-like hydroxyl apatite nanocrystals mineralization.•The cytotoxicity results presented the current material as bio compatible and cost effective candidate for biomaterials.

The current study is a new approach to prepare an environmentally friendly and bioactive material from cellulose grafted soy protein isolate (SPI) for biomimetic calcium phosphate mineralization. Neat cellulose was oxidized using periodate then chemically modified by reacting with SPI followed by soaking in doubly concentrated simulated body fluid (2xSBF) solution. Scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy suggested the formation of uniform hydroxyapatite rod-like nanocrystals with ∼50 nm diameter. The chemical composition of the prepared materials was further investigated using infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The cytotoxicity of cellulose/SPI/calcium phosphate hybrid was evaluated using animal fibroblast baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-21). The cytotoxicity results suggested cellulose/SPI/calcium phosphate hybrid as potentially useful scaffold for regenerative therapies. The current article suggests a green strategy for preparing a new biohybrid material for tissue engineering.

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