Effect of Cu2+ ion on biological performance of nanostructured uorapatite doped with copper

Abstract

Nanostructured copper-doped uorapatite (Cux.Ca(10X).(PO4)6.F2) having crystallite sizes of 19, 29, and 34 nm at x = 0:9, 0.4, and 0.0, respectively, was synthesized by planetary ball milling of CaO, P2O5, CaF2, and CuO powders. Specifications of the products were determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, eld emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray di raction analyses. In-vitro studies and Mossman's Tetrazole Test (MTT) assays were also conducted by incubating Cux.Ca(10X).(PO6).F2 powder into Kokubo's Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) and against BT-20 cell, respectively, to determine bioactivity and biocompatibility of the materials. Antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus were assessed by the disc diffusion test method. Measurements showed that the rate of formation of uorapatite was lowered by Cu content. Besides, in-vitro experiments showed the same SBF interacted apatite precipitation for all samples. In contrast, MTT assays revealed different behavior for pure uorapatite and apatite with x = 0:9 Cu against BT-20 cell after 24 h of incubation. This highlights the increase of uorapatite cytotoxicity when Cuffion is present in the apatite structure. Copper-doped uorapatite was, however, desirably antibacterial. This stemmed from copperions interactions with the bacterial metabolism which resulted in enzymes neutralization and copper-doped uorapatite antibacterial behavior.