Evaluation of the effects of β-tricalcium phosphate on physical, mechanical and biological properties of Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate)/chitosan electrospun scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering applications

Abstract

Scaffold designing for cartilage tissue engineering requires suitable physico-mechanical and biological properties. This research was carried out to study the effects of β-tricalcium phosphate nanoparticles (β-TCP) on Poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB)-chitosan (Cs) electrospun scaffold. Results showed that the addition of different amounts of β-TCP increased fibre diameter, porosity, hydrophilicity and tensile strength in the proper condition. An increase in the degradation rate was observed by an increase in the amount of β-TCP. The biological behaviour of the PHB-Cs/7.5%wt β-TCP electrospun nanocomposite scaffold was investigated through the formation of apatite-like granules and proper attachment and proliferation of chondrocytes on the surface of scaffolds.