Engineering 3D-printed PLA/PBS biocomposites based on tricalcium phosphate and bone powder for bone tissue applications

The global burden of bone fractures is projected to double by 2050, and this trend is driven by an aging population, higher incidence of car accidents, cancer-related bone damage, and osteoporosis, which compromises bone integrity. Addressing this growing challenge, bone tissue engineering (BTE) emerges as a promising strategy using polymeric scaffolds. These scaffolds must be biocompatible, bioresorbable, mechanically stable, and capable of promoting cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Therefore, this study focuses on developing biocomposite scaffolds based on a PLA/PBS (75/25 wt%) blend, incorporating biofillers—tricalcium phosphate (TCP) and bone powder (BP)—to enhance BTE. The composites were produced via melt blending and evaluated through rheological and thermal characterizations. The results indicated thermal degradation in the polymer matrix upon filler incorporation, evidenced by reduced viscosities and thermal stability. Despite this, 3D printed scaffolds demonstrated reproducibility and mechanical properties suitable for bone repair. Interestingly, increasing filler concentrations (10 and 20 wt%) did not enhance mechanical performance but did not compromise the elastic modulus compared to the pure blend and pure PLA. The cytotoxicity assay showed that the scaffolds are non-cytotoxic. These results collectively suggest that the developed scaffolds may serve as promising options for bone tissue engineering.