Acrylic composite materials modified with bee pollen for biomedical application

The aim of this paper is to present the influence of bee pollen on the physicochemical and in vitro properties of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) hydrogel composites enriched with hydroxyapatite and modified with bee pollen as a prospective material for biomedical application with beneficial features including good osseointegration and anti-inflammatory effect. The phase and chemical composition of hydroxyapatite synthesized by wet-precipitation method was confirmed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Proposed materials were investigated towards in vitro properties by immersion in the incubation fluids including artificial saliva, Ringer’s solution and distilled water. The composites swelling ability was determined. Additionally, the chemical structure of the polymer matrix composites was confirmed by FT-IR method. Moreover, to characterize composite degradation process during 21-day incubation the FT-IR technique was used. In order to describe bee pollen feature, both scanning electron microscopy and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry were used. Presented research revealed that hydroxyapatite, as well as PAA undergo biodegradation during in vitro test. Moreover, matrices degradation results in incubation fluids pH decrease associated with anionic nature of PAA which is further enhanced by bee pollen release. The strongest pH drop effect was observed for Ringer’s solution. Increase in conductivity of distilled water confirmed composites degradation process.