Effect of Cu2+ ion on biological performance of nanostructured uorapatite doped with copper

Nanostructured copper-doped uorapatite (Cux.Ca(10??x).(PO4)6.F2) having crystallite sizes of 19, 29, and 34 nm at x = 0:9, 0.4, and 0.0, respectively, was synthesized by planetary ball milling of CaO, P2O5, CaF2, and CuO powders. Specications of the products were determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, eld emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diraction analyses. In-vitro studies and Mossmanʹs Tetrazole Test (MTT) assays were also conducted by incubating Cux.Ca(10??x).(PO4)6.F2 powder into Kokuboʹs Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) and against BT-20 cell, respectively, to determine bioactivity and biocompatibility of the materials. Antibacterial eects on Staphylococcus aureus were assessed by the disc diusion test method. Measurements showed that the rate of formation of uorapatite was lowered by Cu content. Besides, in-vitro experiments showed the same SBF interacted apatite precipitation for all samples. In contrast, MTT assays revealed dierent behavior for pure uorapatite and apatite with x = 0:9 Cu against BT-20 cell after 24 h of incubation. This highlights the increase of uorapatite cytotoxicity when Cu ion is present in the apatite structure. Copper-doped uorapatite was, however, desirably antibacterial. This stemmed from copper ions interactions with the bacterial metabolism which resulted in enzymes neutralization and copper-doped uorapatite antibacterial behavior.