Progress in Modern Marine Biomaterials Research

Abstract

The growing demand for new, sophisticated, multifunctional materials has brought natural structural composites into focus, since they underwent a substantial optimization during long evolutionary selection pressure and adaptation processes. Marine biological materials are the most important sources of both inspiration for biomimetics and of raw materials for practical applications in technology and biomedicine. The use of marine natural products as multifunctional biomaterials is currently undergoing a renaissance in the modern materials science. The diversity of marine biomaterials, their forms and fields of application are highlighted in this review. We will discuss the challenges, solutions, and future directions of modern marine biomaterialogy using a thorough analysis of scientific sources over the past ten years.

Keywords: algal polysaccharides; biominerals; chitin; collagen; conchiolin; corals; gelatin; keratin; marine biomaterials; spongin.

Figure 1

Overview of the main sources of marine biomaterials used nowadays.

Figure 2

Digital microscopy images: Naturally prefabricated 3D chitinous skeletal constructs of verongiids sponges origin (A) are made of interconnected tube-like fibres with excellent ability to absorb diverse liquids including blood (B). They can be used also as biodegradable 3D scaffold-based bioreactors for cultivation of algal cultures (C,D) for further production of corresponding biologically active compounds under controlled laboratory conditions.

Figure 3

Spongin of the bath sponges origin (A) has been recently recognized as unique marine biomaterial for development of metal oxide-based composites (B, arrow) and the source for creation of mechanically stable 3D turbostratic graphite (C), which can be further functionalized with selected metals (D). For details, see [86].

Figure 4

Digital microscopy images: Despite protection and the lack of industrial harvesting, glass sponges, thanks to the complex architecture of their biosilica-based skeletons (A–C)—Aphrocallistes sp., (D)–Waltheria sp.; (E)—Euplectella sp.) represent a unique source for creating 3D models for potential biomimetic functional materials.

Figure 5

SEM micrographs showing morphology of the particles in (A) mussel and (B) quarry derived limestone. Images adapted with permission from [393].

Figure 6

Abalone (Haliotis sp.) shell and its structure. (A) interior view of the shell and (B) scanning electron microscope micrograph showing the cross section the shell; (C) the microstructure of the nacre. Image reproduced with the permission from [412].

Figure 7

Examples of different forms of nacre used in bone graft studies. (A) nacre powder (denoted with a ★) injected within sheep vertebrae; adapted from [413], with permission; (B) nacre in the form of a cylinder (N) implanted in sheep femoral epiphysis; adapted from [388] with permission; (C) trochlea shaped nacre in sheep femoral trochlea; adapted from [414] with permission; (D) screw shaped nacre implanted in sheep metatarsus; adapted from [415] with permission.

Figure 8

SEM micrographs presenting (A) porous morphology of fabricated scaffold and (B) cells attached to the surface of the scaffold matrix—figures adapted from [385] with permission.