Preparation, characterization, and in vitro application of composite films based on gelatin and collagen from natural resources

This work aims to prepare and characterize a new generation composite films with gelatins extracted from bovine and bird bones (Gb and Gc, respectively) in addition to collagen, hide powder, (HP) which are blended with copolymerized polyethylene (MPE) and low density polyethylene, using polymer melt technique, which may be suitable for application as a base material for dental and orthopedic implants with better biological response. The bone‐bonding ability of the composite films was evaluated by examining the ability of apatite to form on their surface in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with ion concentrations nearly equal to those of human blood plasma. The examination of apatite formation on the composites after immersion in SBF for 7 days was carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray. The results showed the formation of thick apatite layer on the surface of the biocomposite films in special way on these containing Gb/MPE and collagen/MPE. Promising results have been achieved indicating that these novel biocomposites have unique bioactivity properties, which can be applied in bone implants and tissue engineering applications as scaffolds in future. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010