Scaffolds of hydroxyapatite and alginate composite for tissue engineering: Microstructure analysis

The aim of the present study was to analyze the microstructure of hydroxyapatite/alginate S.duplicatum composite scaffolds using alginate with different viscosity. The viscosity of the alginate obtained from the macroalgae S.duplicatum of Banten Indonesia and from a commercially available alginate were determined using a viscometer. Hydroxyapatite and alginates were blended, resulting gels that were freeze-dryed. The procedure of phase separation has resulted in HA/S.duplicatum composite scaffolds demonstrating a well-interconnected-pores structure. Pore diameter of HA/S. duplicatum occured up to 200 μm although the viscosity of S.duplicatum alginate was very high compared to that of the commercially available alginate. Pore walls revealed with HA granules entrapped in the alginate matrix. The appearance of HA/S.duplicatum structure was close to that of the HA/alginate (commercially available).