Evaluation of chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen composite strength as scaffold material by immersion in simulated body fluid

The reconstruction of bone tissue defects is a major challenge facing oral and maxillofacial surgeons. The essential elements needed for tissue engineering are cells, scaffolds (matrix), and stimulant molecules (growth factors). The mechanical properties of chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen scaffolds produced by BATAN, Jakarta, have not yet been studied. This study therefore analyzed the mechanical properties of chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen composite scaffolds prepared by BATAN, Jakarta, before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) for eight days. The compressive and tensile strengths of the chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen composite scaffolds were analyzed after immersion in SBF at 37°C for eight days. Each scaffold was removed and dried at room temperature on days 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8. The data obtained were processed and analyzed. Variations in the compressive strength and tensile strength were attributed to several aspects, such the specimen size, which was not uniform, the scaffold composition, scaffold pore size, which was also not uniform, and the degradation of the polymer. The chitosan-hydroxyapatite-collagen composite scaffold does not exhibit differences in the tensile strength and compressive strength before and after immersion in SBF.