AU scientists use waste derivatives to make biomaterial that can cure bone ailments
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Prayagraj: In a hope for those grappling with bone-related ailments, a group of scientists have developed a technique to regenerate bones through use of natural and waste-derived materials.
Led by AU alumnus Amit Dubey and AU research scholar Aisha Tufail, the team has introduced a composite made from egg white, fish-derived gelatin, and rice husk nanosilica.
This composite, called Bioactive Biphasic Calcium Phosphate-Egg White-Nanosilica-Gelatin (BESG), closely mimics natural bone and supports cell growth.
"The laboratory tests have confirmed the biocompatibility, low toxicity, and effectiveness of BESG in promoting bone formation.
This eco-friendly innovation offers a cost-effective alternative for treating bone injuries and conditions like osteoporosis," said Dubey, who is an alumnus of Allahabad University.
"Once implanted, it acts like a supportive framework that allows the body's natural bone cells to grow over and inside it—just like how plants grow better when they have a trellis to climb on. Its sponge-like porous structure helps nutrients and cells move easily, speeding up healing.
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Over time, the material blends into the body safely, helping form new, strong bone without any toxic effects," Dubey said, adding that the innovation could be especially useful for patients recovering from fractures, dental implants, or bone diseases like osteoporosis.
Their work was published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials by the American Chemical Society recently.
"By using locally available waste products, the technology presents a promising, accessible solution for communities with limited medical resources.
BESG can serve as a bone scaffold or patch that integrates with the body, helping damaged bones heal more efficiently," said Dubey.
What makes this research significant is its reliance on readily available and often discarded natural resources.
"Our goal was to provide a sustainable and effective solution to the challenges of bone tissue regeneration. This research is not just a scientific leap; it's a real promise for our society," said Dubey, whose team also included researchers Edwina Sherley Felicita A, Veni Subramanyam S, and Marie Arockianathan P.
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