The Effect of Chitosan on Physicochemical Properties of Whey Protein Isolate Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications

New scaffolds, based on whey protein isolate (WPI) and chitosan (CS), have been proposed investigated as possible materials for use in osteochondral tissue repair. Two types of WPI-based hydrogels modified by CS were prepared: powder was incorporated into WPI either dissolved or suspended form. The optimal chemical composition the resulting WPI/CS chosen morphology, structural properties, stability, swelling ratio, wettability, mechanical bioactivity, cytotoxicity evaluation. with form exhibited superior properties higher porosity, whereas those after dissolution showed enhanced which decreased increasing content. introduction matrix promoted apatite formation, confirmed energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. In vitro results cytocompatibility hydrogels, suggesting their suitability cell scaffolds. These findings demonstrate promising potential scaffolds