Physical and chemical characteristics of the demineralized lyophylized bovine cortical bone sterilized by gamma irradiation

The purpose of the studies were: 1) to ascertain the relationship between immersion time of bone in the Hydrochloride acid (HCl) solution and Calcium and Phosphor content in the bone and 2) to study the effects of irradiation on bone hardness. The methods used in these studies were according to American Association of Tissue Bank. The samples of bovine cortical bone in shape of I cm x I cm were demineralised in 0.6 N of HCl at room temperature until 72 hours. At 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours after demineralisation, 10 grams of demineralised samples were removed and labelled to reflect the demineralisation time. The pH values were monitored at 15 minutes intervals until the end of the process. Subsequently the wet samples were freeze-dried and Calcium and phosphor content were determined by X-ray diffraction. To observe the effects of radiation on bone hardness, the lyophilised cortical bovine bone was irradiated with gamma rays at the doses of 0, 10, 20, and 30 kGy and then were stored until 6 months. Results indicate that the beginning pH of the solution is 1. 1 and it increase sharply up to 2.3 after 12 hours of demineralisation and that pH become constant at 2.5 until the end of process. Calcium and phosphor content in the bone reduce in correlation with increasing of the pH. The beginning of Calcium and phosphor content in the bone are 36.4% and 25.3%, respectively and they reduce to 10.8% and 8.4% at the end of the process. The hardness of non irradiated and non demineralised, demineralised, irradiated, and demineralised irradiated of the cortical bone are 77.67; 65.21; 63.67; and 55.15 Vickers, respectively. The effects of irradiation up to 30 kGy on the hardness of the bone are not significant, but the storage time until 6 months give a significant of reduction. It can be concluded using this method the minimum residual of Calcium concentration in the bone is 10.8%