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- High efficient strategy for the production of hydroxyapatite/silk sericin nanocompositesPublication . Veiga, Anabela; Castro, Filipa; Oliveira, Ana L.; Rocha, FernandoBACKGROUND: Sericin (SS) induces nucleation of bone-like hydroxyapatite (HAp) when used as an organic matrix. HAp/SS nanocomposites have been conventionally synthesized through precipitation in stirred tank reactors (STs). Despite its simplicity, this process is time consuming and presents difficulties in scale-up. In our study, HAp/SS nanocomposites were successfully synthesized in a ST and in a meso-oscillatory flow reactor (meso-OFR), to compare the efficiency of both reactors and to study HAp mineralization using SS as a template. RESULTS: The production of stable HAp, indicated by pH stabilization, was achieved after 180 min in the ST and after 30 min in the meso-OFR. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analyses showed that the particles obtained in both reactors are HAp/SS nanocomposites with low crystallinity. Scanning electron microscopy evidenced the formation of rod- and plateshaped nanoparticles and revealed that the presence of SS led to the production of larger particles. The latter observation was confirmed by laser diffraction. Additionally, increasing SS concentration resulted in the formation of more plate-like particles. CONCLUSIONS: Precipitation is more efficient in the meso-OFR, HAp/SS being obtained four times faster. The presence and concentration of SS led to differences in the size and morphology of the synthesized particles, suggesting a critical role of SS in the mineralization process. This work reports a new approach for the manufacture of high-added-value nanocomposites with similar characteristics to biological bone and the results of a study of the influence of SS as an organic component in HAp nucleation. Further, the use of this protein and technology leads to significant waste minimization.
- Continuous-flow precipitation as a route to prepare highly controlled nanohydroxyapatite: In vitro mineralization and biological evaluationPublication . Castro, Filipa; Ribeiro, Viviana. P.; Ferreira, António; Oliveira, Ana L.; Reis, Rui L.; Teixeira, José A.; Rocha, FernandoThis work reports the biological evaluation of nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp) previously synthesized by continuous-flow precipitation in a scaled-up meso oscillatory flow reactor (meso-OFR). Physicochemical characterization of the synthesized HApsuggests high surface reactivity namely because of its high specific surface area and low crystallinity. On the other hand, in vitro biomineralization assays demonstrated the apatite-forming activity of the prepared HAp and their higher surface reactivity when compared to a commercial HAp. Furthermore, human osteoblastic-like (Saos-2) cells culture evidenced that the synthesized HAp stimulated cell proliferation, especially when applied at lower concentrations (30 and 50 μg ml−1), although its cellular uptake behavior. Therefore, the prepared HApshows immense potential as biomedical material, as well as drug and gene delivery vehicle. The results are also very promising regarding further scaling up of the process, as the designed methodology allow for the preparation in a continuous mode of nanosized HAp with controlled physico-chemical properties.