Osteogenic Differentiation Properties of BLGFs/ODEX Hydrogel Doped With Collagen Derived From Chambo tilapia Fish Skin

Publication Type

Journal Article

Name of Author

• Bhahat Lawlley Zimba, School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) , Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology TanzaniaFollow
• Xiaohan Yang, Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Center , College of Life Science and Technology , Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) China
• Mwemezi Rwiza, School of Materials, Energy, Water and Environmental Sciences (MEWES) , Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Tanzania
• Elingarami Sauli, School of Life Sciences and Bio-Engineering (LiSBE) , The Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST) , Arusha , Tanzania
• Shenqi Wang, Advanced Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Center , College of Life Science and Technology , Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) , China

Publication Date (Issue Year)

2026

Journal Name

International Journal of Biomaterials

Abstract

Background

Bone defects caused by trauma, congenital disorders and degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis remain a major clinical challenge, especially in developing regions. Although bone grafting is the current gold standard for treating bone defects, it faces limitations, including donor site morbidity, limited availability and immune rejection. This study developed and evaluated a novel hybrid biomaterial composed of bovine β-lactoglobulin fibrils (BLGFs), oxidized dextran (ODEX) and collagen (COL) extracted from Chambo tilapia fish skin for bone tissue engineering applications.

Methods

BLGFs were synthesized from whey protein, while ODEX was produced by oxidizing dextran. Three biomaterials–COL, BLGFs/ODEX and BLGFs/ODEX/COL–were synthesized and characterized using Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cytocompatibility and haemocompatibility were assessed through MTT and haemolysis assays using rat red blood cells. Osteogenic potential was evaluated by Alizarin Red staining after culturing rat bone marrow stem cells in osteoinduction media.

Results

The BLGFs/ODEX/COL hydrogel exhibited better porosity, biocompatibility and mechanical stability. SEM and MTT results confirmed robust cell adhesion, spreading, and viability, while haemolysis rates remained below 5%. Enhanced calcium deposition in rBMSCs indicated strong osteogenic differentiation. These results demonstrate that the BLGFs/ODEX/COL hydrogel is a promising, affordable, and biocompatible scaffold for bone tissue regeneration.

Keywords

biomaterials, bone tissue engineering, collagen osteogenic differentiation

Rsif Scholar Name

Bhahat Lawlley Zimba

Rsif Scholar Nationality

Malawi

Cohort

Cohort 4

Thematic Area

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Africa Host University (AHU)

Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology (NM-AIST), Tanzania

Recommended Citation

Zimba, B. L., Yang, X., Rwiza, M., Sauli, E., & Wang, S. (2026). Osteogenic Differentiation Properties of BLGFs/ODEX Hydrogel Doped With Collagen Derived From Chambo tilapia Fish Skin. International Journal of Biomaterials https://doi.org/10.1155/ijbm/8564127