Abstract

β -chitin/silk fibroin/MCM-41 (CT/SF/MCM-41) composite scaffolds were synthesized using the freeze-drying method by blending CT hydrogel, SF and MCM-41 in different organic/inorganic weight ratios. The prepared MCM- 41 and composite scaffolds were characterized using the scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) studies. The composite scaffolds were found to have 76-81% porosity with a well-defined interconnected porous construction. Moreover, the cell viability, attachment and proliferation were investigated using 3-4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl {-2, 5- diphenyl-2H-tetrazoliumbromide} (MTT), Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) solution; the mouse preosteoblast cell proved the cytocompatible nature of the composite scaffolds with well-improved proliferation and cell attachment. These results implied that these materials could be a candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.