OBJECTIVES: To determine the physical and chemical characteristics and similarities between lyophilized bone from bovine and human sources manufactured in a semi-industrial scale, according to a modified protocol developed by the authors. METHODS: The percentages of fat extract (raw fat), total protein (total nitrogen) and mineral composition (total phosphorus, total P2O5, total calcium, total sodium, ashes and chlorides) was determined on the samples of lyophilized human and bovine bones. RESULTS: The percentage of fat extract and raw protein was of 0.14% and 0.06%; and 27.20% and 27.53%; whereas the mineral composition demonstrated 4.3% and 4.3% of nitrogen; 11.9% and 11.9% of total phosphorus; 27.1% and 27.2% of P2O5; 24.6% and 23.7% of total calcium (Ca/P relation: 2.06 and 1.99); 0.57% and 0.46% of total sodium; 64.8% and 64.3% of ashes; and 1.3% and 1.3% of chlorides, for samples of bovine and human bones, respectively. No statistical significant difference was observed between bovine and human bones after the lyophilization process. CONCLUSION: The assessment of physical and chemical characteristics of bovine and human lyophilized bones has clearly demonstrated that these bones kept virtually all characteristics of a raw bone and keep similarities to human counterparts, yielding an end product with good biocompatibility.
Toxicity tests; Bone transplantation; Freeze drying
