Mineral phase deposition on pectin microspheres

The nucleation of apatite and calcium phosphates onto natural polysaccharides containing carboxyl groups can be obtained by immersion in biomimetic solutions. The deposition of hydroxyapatite has been recently described also on pectin, and pectin–apatite hybrid gels were proposed as scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. In this work, injectable calcium phosphate/pectin microspheres were prepared to promote both the natural process of biomineralization and the controlled release of encapsulated cells, genes, enzymes, proteins or drugs in the pathological situ. Pectin microspheres were prepared with different formulations from aqueous solutions using an extrusion system, and incubated in H2O or SBF for 14 days. The presence of an excess of CaCl2, deriving from the preparation process, was determinant in promoting the deposition of calcium phosphates from SBF, whereas no mineral deposition was detected on pectin microspheres extensively purified after preparation. The nucleation of calcium phosphates occurred on pectin microspheres incubated in SBF for 14 days and was evaluated through ESEM–EDS analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy.