Novel whey protein isolate-based highly porous scaffolds modified with therapeutic ion-releasing bioactive glasses

Publication date: Available online 3 December 2019Source: Materials LettersAuthor(s): Michal Dziadek, Timothy E.L. Douglas, Kinga Dziadek, Barbara Zagrajczuk, Andrada Serafim, Izabela-Cristina Stancu, Katarzyna Cholewa-KowalskacAbstractIn this work, for the first time, a material derived from food industry waste – whey protein isolate - and a material commonly used in bone regeneration – bioactive glasses - were combined to obtain novel composite biomaterials with potential applications in bone tissue engineering (BTE). Additionally, to obtain pro-angiogenic properties, sol-gel-derived BGs doped with Cu2+ and Co2+ ions were used. Using a simple gas foaming method, ready-to-use (sterile), bioactive scaffolds with high porosity (above 70%), fully connected pore networks, and pore size suitable for BTE applications (80–350 μm) were obtained. Furthermore, scaffolds showed additional functionalities - calcium phosphate-forming ability and gradual release of therapeutic ions. Porous WPI/BG composites showed great potential for use as novel bone substitutes.Graphical abstract
Source: Materials Letters - Category: Materials Science Source Type: research