Starch Composites in Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering is a new field that seeks the restoration or replacement of damaged tissues by the combination of biomaterials, cells, and bioactive factors. The material to be used for scaffolding plays a critical role in supporting cell growth and guiding tissue regeneration. Natural polymers have gained increasing attention for this purpose due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and environmental safety. Among them, starch has emerged as one of the most promising materials owing to its abundance, low cost, and high versatility. Its structure enables easy modification, allowing the development of hydrogel, fibers, film, and porous scaffold suited to different biomedical needs. Starch-based composites can be engineered to achieve desirable mechanical strength, controlled degradation, and enhanced biological interaction by blending with other polymers or incorporating nanoparticles and bioactive molecules. These composites have exhibited significant potential across various biomedical applications such as skin repair, bone regeneration, cartilage engineering, and soft tissue healing. They also allow certain advantages in drug delivery, offering controlled and localized release of therapeutic agents to support the healing process.