Development of composite hydrogel based on hydroxyapatite mineralization over pectin reinforced with cellulose nanocrystal

Hydrogels based on pectin and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were used in our study to nucleation and growth of hydroxyapatite (HAp) by the biomimetic method. In this study, we evaluated the direct impact of the different percentages of CNC on pectin hydrogel and the influence of HAp obtained through two methods. CNC were obtained from HCl hydrolysis following chemical functionalization through vinyl groups. The percentage of CNC positively induces thermal stability, mechanical properties and HAp mineralization from biomimetic using simulated body fluid (1.5 SBF). Hydrogels with 5% of CNC showed a higher amount of HAp immersed for 14 days, about 28% of HAp. The obtained hydrogels were compared with hydrogels containing 20% of HAp nanoparticles obtained by chemical precipitation. Biocompatibility of the hydrogels was evaluated by cell viability using fibroblasts (L929). In general, the hydrogels obtained through the biomimetic method show slightly larger biocompatibility compared to the hybrid hydrogels obtained from chemical precipitation.