INTRODUCTION: Growing healthcare demands are driving the integration of bioeconomic principles into medical innovation. Biodegradable textile scaffolds fabricated from bio-derived poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(3- hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB)) offer a promising platform for bone regeneration. The use of eggshell-derived ceramic coatings provides a resource-efficient approach to enhance the material’s osteoconductivity. 

METHODS: Braided textile scaffolds were fabricated from melt-spun bio-derived P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) monofilaments1. Hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesised from waste eggshells and applied as a surface coating onto the scaffolds. Scaffold morphology and coating coverage were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Human mesenchymal stem cells were seeded onto uncoated and HA-coated scaffolds to assess cytocompatibility. Cell viability was evaluated after 2 and 3 weeks of culture using a WST assay. 

RESULTS: Braided P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds were successfully fabricated, yielding uniform and reproducible architecture (Fig. 1 a- b). Eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite was homogeneously deposited onto the polymer fibres, as confirmed by SEM, which revealed a continuous ceramic coating and increased surface roughness compared to uncoated scaffolds (Fig. 1c-d). WST assays demonstrated sustained cell viability on both uncoated and HA-coated scaffolds after 2 and 3 weeks of culture (Fig 1 e). HA-coated scaffolds showed comparable or slightly enhanced metabolic activity relative to uncoated controls, indicating good cytocompatibility of the ceramic coating

 DISCUSSION & CONCLUSIONS: Eggshell- derived hydroxyapatite was successfully deposited onto braided P(3HB)/P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds without compromising cell viability over 2–3 weeks. These results support the use of bio-derived polymer textiles and waste-based ceramic coatings as a cytocompatibility and resource-efficient platform for bone tissue engineering.