Hydroxyapatite Synthesis and Biomedical Applications from Marine Biomaterials
Summary
Hydroxyapatite (HA) derived from marine biomaterials offers a sustainable route to bone‐like calcium phosphate for diverse biomedical uses. Fish bones, scales and seashells are rich in calcium carbonate and native mineral matrices, which can be transformed into HA via processes such as wet precipitation, ultrasound‐assisted extraction and high‐temperature calcination. These treatments remove organic residues, control crystal size and tailor the calcium‐to‐phosphate ratio to closely match that of human bone. Marine‐derived HA exhibits excellent biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and chemical similarity to native bone mineral, making it well suited for bone graft substitutes, scaffolds, coatings for implants and drug‐delivery carriers. Emerging techniques integrate marine HA into polymeric matrices to enhance mechanical resilience and bioactivity, while maintaining porosity favourable for cell infiltration. Challenges remain in achieving reproducible phase purity, optimising sintering conditions to balance strength with resorbability, and ensuring the absence of trace contaminants. Harnessing seafood industry by‐products not only mitigates waste but also aligns with circular‐economy principles and global efforts to develop eco‐friendly biomaterials for orthopaedic and dental applications.
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Hydroxyapatite Synthesis and Biomedical Applications from Marine Biomaterials publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in hydroxyapatite synthesis and biomedical applications from marine biomaterials across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Hydroxyapatite (HA): A calcium phosphate mineral (Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂) that constitutes the primary inorganic phase of bone and teeth.
Calcination: Thermal treatment at elevated temperatures to decompose organic components and crystallise calcium phosphate phases.
Osteoconductivity: The ability of a material to support the attachment, growth and proliferation of bone cells along its surface.
Biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP): A composite of hydroxyapatite and β-tricalcium phosphate, offering a balance of stability and resorbability.
Bioceramics: Ceramic materials engineered for medical use, particularly in bone repair and replacement due to their compatibility with biological tissues.
References
- Sustainable Sources of Raw Materials for Additive Manufacturing of Bone‐Substituting Biomaterials. Advanced Healthcare Materials (2023).
- Mechanical and Biocompatibility Properties of Calcium Phosphate Bioceramics Derived from Salmon Fish Bone Wastes. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2020).
- Hydroxyapatite Extracted from Waste Fish Bones and Scales via Calcination Method. Applied Mechanics and Materials (2015).
- Novel Trends into the Development of Natural Hydroxyapatite-Based Polymeric Composites for Bone Tissue Engineering. Polymers (2022).
- Synthesis of Hydroxyapatite through Ultrasound and Calcination Techniques. IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering (2017).
- A Review on Biphasic Calcium Phosphate Materials Derived from Fish Discards. Nanomaterials (2021).
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