Abstract
Novel three-dimensional porous composites of alginate-pectin (A/P) with zinc- or manganese-substituted hydroxyapatites (A/P-ZnHA and A/P-MnHA) were synthesized via lyophilization and calcium cross-linking. Powder X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses confirmed single-phase apatite formation (crystallite sizes < 1 µm), with ZnHA exhibiting lattice contraction (*c*-axis: 6.881 Å vs. 6.893 Å for HA). Mechanical testing revealed tunable properties: pristine A/P sponges exhibited an elastic modulus of 4.7 MPa and a tensile strength of 0.10 MPa, reduced by 30-70% by HA incorporation due to increased porosity (pore sizes: 112 ± 18 µm in the case of MnHA vs. 148 ± 23 µm-ZnHA). Swelling capacity increased 2.3-2.8-fold (125-155% vs. 55% for A/P), governed by polysaccharide interactions. Scanning electron microscopy investigation showed microstructural evolution from layered A/P (<100 µm) to tridimensional architectures with embedded mineral particles. The A/P-MnHA composites demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity for the NCTC cells and good viability of dental pulp stem cells, while A/P-ZnHA caused ≈20% metabolic suppression, attributed to hydrolysis-induced acidification. Antibacterial assays highlighted A/P-MnHA's broad-spectrum efficacy against Gram-positive (Bacillus atrophaeus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas protegens) strains, whereas A/P-ZnHA targeted only the Gram-positive strain. The developed composite sponges combine cytocompatibility and antimicrobial activity, potentially advancing osteoplastic materials for bone regeneration and infection control in orthopedic/dental applications.