Effects of Gamma Radiation As Terminal Sterilization on Mechanical Properties and Organic Composition of Bone and Skin Allograft Publisher



Delyanee M¹ ; Tabatabaee S¹ ; Samanipour R¹ ; Tavakoli A² ; Alizadeh A³ ; Marzban A¹ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Materials Research Published:2025

Abstract

The increasing demand for allograft tissues in musculoskeletal repair necessitates effective sterilization methods that preserve mechanical integrity. This study investigates the effects of gamma irradiation (25 kGy) on the mechanical properties and organic composition of freeze-dried bone and skin allografts. Results showed a significant decline on average in Young’s modulus (62.0 ± 0.80% for bone and 46.5 ± 0.7% for skin) and ultimate stress (23.0 ± 0.4% for bone and 31.2 ± 0.4% for skin), attributed to collagen network disruption. Hydroxyproline content decreased by 0.22–1.15 μg/mg in bone and 0.89–1.20 μg/mg in skin, confirming collagen degradation. FTIR analysis revealed alterations in amide and phosphate peaks, while SEM images indicated increased porosity and structural fragmentation. These findings highlight a critical balance between sterilization efficacy and biomechanical stability, offering insights for optimizing gamma irradiation parameters in tissue banking. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Materials Research Society 2025.