EVALUATION OF ANTI-ADHESIVE PROPERTIES OF WOOD-DERIVED BIPHASIC CALCIUM PHOSPHATE BONE SCAFFOLD

Aim In the orthopedics field, scientists are continuing to research scaffolds to be used as bone implants [1] capable on one side to guide and sustain the natural metabolism of cells towards tissue regrowth and on the other to confer antibacterial properties to face post-surgical infections. The aim of this study is to test the anti-adhesive efficacy of two different commercially available calcium phosphate bone substitutes. Method Hydroxyapatite-tricalcium phosphate bone substitutes were prepared from Rattan wood pieces following the procedure described in [2] and doped with Mg and Sr. A biphasic commercial scaffold was used as a comparison. The gamma sterilized scaffolds were characterized in terms of morphological and topographical properties [3] through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. A texture analysis of surfaces was conducted through the Haralick computer-based approach. The anti-adhesive properties of the surfaces were investigated using planktonic cultures of bacterial strains commonly found in bone infections, specifically a gram-positive ( Staphylococcus aureus ) and a gram-negative strain ( Escherichia coli ), in a time-dependent manner. Microscopy analyses (SEM) were performed on bacterial adhesion. Results The analyses of surfaces in terms of texture and topography demonstrated significant differences among the scaffolds. Preliminary results on bacterial adhesion exhibited a substantial reduction in the adhesion of both bacterial strains on the wood derived scaffolds. Conclusions The obtained data demonstrated a difference in roughness and texture among all the scaffolds in terms of topography and morphology. Preliminary microbiological results indicated a reduced adhesion on surfaces of wood-derived scaffolds, especially at early time points. This finding suggests a correlation between surface properties, doping ions and bacterial adhesion behavior. The reduced adhesion at early time points could slow down biofilm formation and potentially enhance the effectiveness of antimicrobial treatments. Further microbiological and in vivo studies will be conducted to confirm the anti-adhesive properties of the scaffold.