Formation of biomimetic calcite-gelatin/agarose composites: Gel occlusion, aggregate co-orientation and Mg content)

Abstract

Biological hard tissues such as shells, bones and teeth are mineral-organic composite materials with enhanced mechanical properties. In the case of carbonate biological hard tissues, the organic component consists of a mixture of proteins, glycoproteins and polysaccharides, arranged to define a matrix of membranes and of fibrils. The most common mineral component is nanoparticulated calcium carbonate, calcite or aragonite. The characteristics of calcite crystal aggregation and its organization into hierarchical orientation patterns is mediated by the organic matrix, which becomes occluded within the mineral component during the formation of the hard tissue.