Continuous-flow precipitation as a route to prepare highly controlled nanohydroxyapatite: in vitro mineralization and biological evaluation

Abstract

This work reports the biological evaluation of nanosized hydroxyapatite (HAp) previously synthesized by continuous-flow precipitation in a scaled-up meso oscillatory flow reactor (meso-OFR). Physicochemical characterization of the synthesized HAp suggests high surface reactivity namely because of its high specific surface area and low crystallinity. On the other hand, in vitro biomineralization assays demonstrated the apatite-forming activity of the prepared HAp and their higher surface reactivity when compared to a commercial HAp. Furthermore, human osteoblastic-like (Saos-2) cells culture evidenced that the synthesized HAp stimulated cell proliferation, especially when applied at lower concentrations (30 and 50 mu g ml(-1)), although its cellular uptake behavior. Therefore, the prepared HAp shows immense potential as biomedical material, as well as drug and gene delivery vehicle. The results are also very promising regarding further scaling up of the process, as the designed methodology allow for the preparation in a continuous mode of nanosized HAp with controlled physico-chemical properties.