DEVELOPMENT AND BIOCOMPATIBILITY ASSESSMENT OF A PMMA/HA–BASED BONE GRAFT REINFORCED WITH SILK FIBROIN AND HEMP FIBER
2. INTERNATIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY ENVIRONMENT AND HEMP CONGRESS, Bursa, Turkey, 15 December 2025, pp.39-46, (Full Text)
- Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
- City: Bursa
- Country: Turkey
- Page Numbers: pp.39-46
- Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Bone regeneration remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in large defects where natural healing is insufficient. Synthetic bone grafts have gained prominence as safer, more sustainable alternatives to autografts and allografts; however, limitations in biocompatibility, mechanical stability, and osteoconductive performance still persist. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of a novel composite bone graft composed of a PMMA/Hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffold reinforced with silk fibroin (SF) and hemp fiber (HF). HF was processed through alkaline, acidic, and oxidation treatments to obtain biocompatible nano-powder, while porous HA scaffolds were produced via the polyurethane sponge replica method and coated with PMMA. The HF/SF hydrogel was subsequently integrated into the composite structure to enhance bioactivity and mechanical properties. Structural analyses were performed using XRD and FTIR-ATR, confirming the successful incorporation of PMMA, HA, HF, and SF within the composite matrix. Biocompatibility was evaluated through LDH cytotoxicity assays in Beas2B human epithelial cells, revealing a low cytotoxicity rate (~12%), comparable to the control group. Overall, the findings indicate that the synthesized PMMA/HA–HF/SF composite graft exhibits excellent structural integrity and biocompatibility, suggesting its strong potential as a nextgeneration bone graft candidate for preclinical applications.
Keywords: Bone graft, PMMA, Hydroxyapatite, Silk fibroin, Hemp fiber, Biocompatibility