article · Next Materials
Sustainable biomaterials for bone tissue engineering were developed using chitosan and aragonite derived from cuttlefish waste, combined with bioactive glass nanoparticles. The biocomposites were synthesised through freeze-drying and analysed using structural, chemical, and microscopic characterisation methods. In vitro bioactivity was evaluated by immersing the composites in simulated body fluid to observe ion exchanges and apatite layer formation. Cytotoxicity was assessed through co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells. Adding seventeen percent cuttlefish-derived chitosan enhanced the bioactivity of the aragonite and nanobioglasses, promoting the formation of an active surface apatite layer. Furthermore, the hybrid biocomposite demonstrated biocompatibility, supporting cell viability of at least ninety percent and maintaining apoptosis rates below eleven percent after seventy-two hours of culture. These findings highlight the potential of marine waste as a raw material for bone repair composites.
Bone tissue repair requires materials that support cell growth without causing toxicity. Sourcing mineral and polymer components from cuttlefish waste provides a sustainable, circular economy approach to biomaterial production. Converting marine by-products into biocompatible composites that promote mineralisation can help address the biomedical sector's growing demand for effective and environmentally conscious tissue engineering materials.
This research targets bone tissue engineering and repair, which could eventually interest orthopaedic biomaterial manufacturers and surgeons. The study remains at an early laboratory stage, having demonstrated material synthesis, in vitro bioactivity in simulated body fluid, and short-term cell viability. Progress towards commercial translation would require in vivo preclinical studies, process validation for marine waste extraction, and formal safety and regulatory evaluations.
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Development of sustainable biomaterials has become essential to meet the needs and requirements of surgeons and industry in the field of bone tissue engineering and repair. This research work aims at developing chitosan/aragonite/nanobioglasses (CHS/ArgS/ NBG) based biocomposites derived from cuttlefish waste as sustainable biomaterials. Different biocomposites were synthesized by freeze-drying. Then, physicochemical characterizations using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) were performed. In addition, the in vitro evaluation of their bioactivity was carried out by immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). The formation of a biologically active apatite layer on the surface of the biocomposites was investigated. The Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique was used to study ion exchanges between the biocomposites and SBF. Finally, their cytotoxicity was evaluated through co-culture with mesenchymal stem cells. The results indicate that the incorporation of 17% chitosan derived from cuttlefish bone by-products into the biocomposite improved the bioactivity of nanobioglasses and aragonite. The CHS/ArgS/NBG biocomposite exhibits an excellent ability to form an apatite layer on its surface, as confirmed by physicochemical analyses. Moreover, CHS/ArgS/ NBG showed notable cell viability (≥ 90%) and low apoptosis rates (< 11%) after 72 h of culture, indicating good biocompatibility and tolerance. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of cuttlebone waste for the development of a sustainable hybrid composite biomaterial designed for bone tissue engineering applications.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.nxmate.2026.103330
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