Synthesis of a bone like composite material derived from waste pearl oyster shells for potential bone tissue bioengineering applications

Abstract

Background: Hydroxyapatite is generally considered a viable substitute for bone in a number of medical procedures such as bone repair, bone augmentation and coating metal implants. Unfortunately, hydroxyapatite has poor mechanical properties that make it unsuitable for many load bearing applications.Methods: In the present work various grades of finely crushed Pinctada maxima (pearl oyster shell) were combined with a nanometer scale hydroxyapatite powder to form novel composite materials. A comparative study was made between the various powder based composites synthesized. The crystalline structure and morphology of the various powder based composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The composite materials were also evaluated and characterized.Results: Manufactured hydroxyapatite powders were composed of crystalline spherical/granular particles with a mean size of 30 nm. Also produced were hydroxyapatite and finely crushed calcium carbonate from Pinctada maxima (pearl oyster shell) powder mixtures. Hydroxyapatite coatings produced on Pinctada maxima nacre substrates were investigated and their surface characteristics reported.Conclusions: Pinctada maxima nacre pre-treated with sodium hypo chlorate before hydroxyapatite deposition produced a superior coating and could be used for bone tissue engineering. But further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate the biocompatibility and long term stability of this composite coating.

Effect of Incorporating Nano-Pearl and Nano-Seashell Particles into Fluoride-based Pits and Fissure Sealant on Enamel Remineralization of Permanent Extracted Molars: An In Vitro Study.

“…This study used biologically derived natural materials such as pearl and seashells (Anadara granosa) as remineralizing agents and incorporated it into pits and fissure sealants. Both nano-pearl and nano-seashell particles had been reported by many previous studies to be biocompatible and toxic-free (Brundavanam, Fawcett and Poinern, 2017). Cockle seashells presented high percentage viability (>80%) even when used at high concentrations (Fu et al, 2017).…”

“…Different forms of hydroxyapatite (HAP) can be prepared from biologically derived natural materials as eggshells and seashells (Akram and Ahmed, 2014) . Hydroxyapatite synthesized from seashell could be used as bone substitute and many other biomedical applications (Brundavanam, Fawcett and Poinern, 2017) .…”

“…Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is the most essential chemical component of pearl. Pearl powder contains high calcium content, amino acids, zinc, magnesium, iron, and other elements (Brundavanam, Fawcett and Poinern, 2017).…”

A New Approach to Design Hydroxyapatite and Silk Fibroin Bone Substitutes

“…The crystallographic plans at (002), (211), (310), ( 222), ( 213) and (004) represent the characteristic pattern of HAp, showing no formation of any different calcium phosphate. However, these peaks are broaded and overlapped (evidenced in the 211 plan) demonstrating the presence of amorphous phase in HAp precipitated, very similar to biological apatite present in natural bone [28,29]. The HAp crystallinity is directly affected by the temperature; low temperature process creates broaded peaks and amorphous phases, while at higher temperatures, the peaks are sharper, indicating an increase in the crystallinity.…”

Pinctada Maxima Pearl Shells as a Promising Bone Graft Material in the World of Dentistry

“…In this study, researchers used Pinctada maxima pearl shells that were processed into HAP powder. There have been many studies that process Pinctada maxima shell powder into HAP [19], [20]. It is common knowledge for geologists and agronomists who say that calcium carbonate can be converted into HAP using liquid phosphate at room temperature [21].…”