Novel gamma irradiated agarose-gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds for skin tissue regeneration

Agarose-gelatin-hydroxyapatite composites prepared by freeze-drying technique were gamma irradiated with various doses (25 kGy, 50 kGy and 100 kGy). X-ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed the pure phase of HAp and the intensity of prominent planes of hydroxyapatite (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, HAp) were found to decrease on irradiation. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra (FTIR) showed functional groups of HAp and polymer composites, and higher disorder of the polymer matrix on irradiation. In addition, gamma irradiation led to a drastic reduction in the wettability (62%) and the compressive modulus (76%) of the scaffolds. There was significant enhancement (113%) in pore size of the scaffolds at higher fluence (100 kGy). The swelling and the dissolution studies of the gamma irradiated scaffolds showed that it had an appreciable change in the scaffold's mechanical and biological properties viz., compressive modulus, cell proliferation, hemolysis etc. The irradiated biomaterials exhibited enhanced hemocompatibility, antimicrobial activity and cell viability. The above results clearly reveal that the gamma irradiation is a suitable tool to tailor the multifunctional properties of the composites and could be used for various biomedical applications.