Design and fabrication of novel chitin hydrogel/chitosan/nano diopside composite scaffolds for tissue engineering

In this research, novel porous composite scaffolds consisting of chitin, chitosan and nano diopside powder were prepared using the freeze-drying method. The prepared nanocomposite scaffolds were characterized by SEM, XRD, BET, TGA and FT-IR techniques. In addition, swelling, degradation and biomineralization capability, cell viability and cell attachment of the composite scaffolds were evaluated. The results indicated better swelling and degradation properties of such scaffolds their ability to become bioactive. Cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were assessed by MIT assay and cell attachment studies using Human Gingival Fibroblast cells. Cell viability studies demonstrated no sign of toxicity and cells were found to be attached to the pore walls within the scaffolds. These results suggested that the developed composite scaffolds could be a potential candidate for tissue engineering.