抄録
We aim to realize novel collagen/apatite composite materials, which have the optimally composed and layered microstructure, as artificial bone cartridges to bone defects by mimicking the real bone microstructures, in future. As the first step, we tried to evaluate the effect of synthesis condition on mechanical properties of collagen fibers as the unit structure of collagen/apatite artificial bone cartridges, based on the micro-tensile test. In addition, we tried to investigate the optimum synthesis condition, where realize the maximum tensile strength of collagen fibers. Here, we developed a micro-tensile testing device utilizing the deflection of cantilever beam. Single-fiber-like collagen fibers were prepared by bio-mimetic method, where fibrosis and cross-linking of collagen molecules are derived simultaneously. As the cross-linking agent, 1-ethyl-3-carbodiimide hydrochloride(EDC)was selected. As results, collagen fibers prepared under the EDC concentration of 10mmol/L was twice higher than those prepared without addition of EDC. In the range of higher EDC concentration than 20mmol/L, the tensile strength of collagen fibers decreased with increasing EDC concentration. EDC concentration of 60mmol/L did not derive fibrosis. Therefore, it is suggested that the EDC concentration, where fibrosis and cross-linking induce a synergistic effect, could optimize the microstructure of collagen fibers.
