Preparation and characterization of degelatinised bone and grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Bovine bones, an industrial waste were deproteinized to degelatinized bone [DGB], which was analyzed by FTIR, XRD and SEM measurements and the results were found to be comparable with the data for the reference, synthetic hydroxyapatite [HA]. Poly (methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] is being independently used as bone cement extensively. The presence of hydroxyl groups on DGB makes it vulnerable for grafting with this polymer The grafting of poly (methyl methacrylate) [PMMA] onto DGB was performed under varying experimental conditions and the grafting efficiency with respect to the variables was reported in this work, along with the proof for grafting from FTIR, SEM and Porosity studies. The present work sketches a cost-effective procedure for preparing DGB, which closely resembles HA, whose use as orthopedic implant is extensive. It was interesting to note that DGB retained the crystalline structure of HA even after PMMA grafting, which makes the graft viable for use as bio-implant. The introduction of further functional groups on DGB when grafted with PMMA is an additional advantage since antibiotics can be coupled at those active functional groups.