Production of 3D scaffolds from natural polymers and their characterisation

This study aimed to produce and characterise biocompatible and biodegradable three-dimensional scaffolds for the purposes of bone tissue engineering applications. For this reason, composite 3D scaffolds with different polymer contents were fabricated from silk fibroin and gelatin proteins in different blending ratios. The morphology, water-uptake capacity, biodegradation and biomineralisation profile of these scaffolds produced by lyophilisation method were investigated. Based on these investigations, it was showed that increased gelatin ratio led to more porous scaffolds structures and it also caused decreased remaining weight ratios after biodegradation tests. No direct relationship was found between water-uptake capacity and gelatin content of the scaffolds, but biomineralisation assays showed that the scaffolds produced in this study could trigger hydroxyapatite formation.