Synthetic apatites are widely used both in the dental and the orthopaedic fields due to their similarity in composition with the inorganic phase of hard tissues. Biologic apatites are not pure hydroxyapatite (HA), but are calcium-deficient apatites with magnesium and carbonate as minor but important substituents. The aim of the present study was to produce a more soluble biomaterial through the simultaneous substitution of magnesium and carbonate in the apatite structure to accelerate the degradation time in the body. The physico-chemical and dissolution properties of unsintered magnesium and carbonate-substituted apatite (MCAp) with similar Mg/Ca molar ratio (0.03) and varying C/P molar ratio were evaluated. The resultant powders were characterised using several techniques, such as FTIR, TGA, XRD, ICP and SEM, while the release of calcium ions in a pH 6 solution was monitored using a Ca-ion selective electrode. The results showed a decrease of crystallite size and an increase in the release of calcium to the medium as the carbonate content in the samples increased.

In this work, chitosan and collagen-chitosan porous scaffolds were produced by the freeze drying method and characterized as potential skin substitutes. Their beneficial effects on soft tissues justify the choice of both collagen and chitosan. Samples were characterized using scanning electron microscope, Fourier Transform InfraRed Spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry (TG). The in vitro cytocompatibility of chitosan and collagen-chitosan scaffolds was evaluated with three different assays. Phenol and titanium powder were used as positive and negative controls, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the highly interconnected porous structure of the scaffolds. The addition of collagen to chitosan increased both pore diameter and porosity of the scaffolds. Results of FTIR and TG analysis indicate that the two polymers interact yielding a miscible blend with intermediate thermal degradation properties. The reduction of XTT ((2,3-bis[2-methyloxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide) and the uptake of Neutral Red (NR) were not affected by the blend or by the chitosan scaffold extracts, but the blend and the titanium powder presented greater incorporation of Crystal Violet (CV) than phenol and chitosan alone. In conclusion, collagen-chitosan scaffolds produced by freeze-drying methods were cytocompatible and presented mixed properties of each component with intermediate thermal degradation properties.