Fabrication and characterization of nanobiocomposite scaffold of zein/chitosan/nanohydroxyapatite prepared by freeze-drying method for bone tissue engineering.

In this investigation, porous composite scaffolds were prepared using a freeze-drying procedure by mixing zein (ZN), chitosan (CS) and nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) in different inorganic/organic weight ratios. The gained nanocomposite scaffolds were studied using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N2-adsorption-desorption technique. Also, swelling, porosity, mechanical properties, biomineralization capability, degradation, cell attachment, and cell viability of the composite scaffolds were studied. The results showed a porous nature with acceptable pore dimensions and interconnections for cell penetration and colonization. In addition, the cytocompatibility of the ZN/CS/nHAp scaffolds was surveyed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) evaluation and cell attachment studies using human bone cancer cells. Studies indicated non- toxicity to the cells, and the cells were found to be attached to the pore walls within the scaffolds. The results related to physicochemical properties and superior cytocompatibility suggested that ZN/CS/nHAp scaffold could be potential candidate materials for the tissue engineering.