Characteristics of Chitosan Gelatine Limestone-Based Carbonate Hydroxyapatite Composite Scaffold After Crosslinking

Bone damage is one of the most common cases in dentistry. Tissue engineering is advancing in biotechnology to aid bone regeneration using scaffolds. Scaffolds need to be biocompatible, bioactive, and bioresorbable. Purpose: Analyzing the characteristics of  scaffold C-G:CHA after crosslinking with 0.25% glutaraldehyde. Methods: The scaffold is synthesized from C–G:CHA in ratios of 40:60, 30:70, and 20:80 (w/w) using a freeze-drying technique and crosslinked with  0.25% glutaraldehyde. Compressive strengths are tested with a Universal Testing Machine Mini Autograph. FTIR, XRD, and SEM EDX were used to identify the most optimal base of each ratio. Data are analyzed with a one-way ANOVA parametric test. Results: The FTIR test showed that adding 0.25% glutaraldehyde formed a new chemical group. The XRD test indicated the use of 0.25% glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent contributed to the scaffold having an amorphous form. The SEM test results of the porosity of the C-G:CHA were 88.41% to 91.14%. After crosslinking the porosities slightly decreased. The EDX analysis showed that the Ca/P ratio in the C-G:CHA scaffold is 1.79 to 2.07. The average compressive strength of the C-G:CHA scaffold increases after being crosslinked with glutaraldehyde. Conclusion: Scaffold C-G:CHA crosslinked with 0.25% glutaraldehyde effective to increase compressive strength. The 30:70 ratio is ideal because it has a Ca/P ratio and average pore size closest to bone.