TITLE:
Natural Hydroxyapatite from Fish Bones and Scales for Biomedical Applications—A Review on Current Progress
AUTHORS:
Hafizuddin Mohd Salleh, Mohamed Saiful Firdaus Hussin, Adibah Haneem Mohd Dom, Azrul Abidin Zakaria, Jufriadi
KEYWORDS:
Material Science, Health Science, Biomedical Engineering, Regenerative Medicine
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Power and Energy Engineering,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
8,
2026
ABSTRACT: Hydroxyapatite has attracted a significant attention in biomedical applications due to its excellent biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity, and non-toxic nature. Fish processing wastes, particularly fish bones and scales, have emerged as a sustainable and cost-effective natural source for hydroxyapatite extraction. The increasing global demand for environmentally friendly biomaterials has accelerated research into the utilization of fish-derived waste for bone tissue engineering. This review comprehensively discusses the extraction, characterization, and in vitro studies of hydroxyapatite from various fish species. Furthermore, the review highlights structural, morphological, thermal, and biological characteristics of fish-derived hydroxyapatite. Despite considerable progress, challenges associated with compositional variability, reproducibility, and large-scale commercialization remain significant barriers to clinical translation. Fish-derived hydroxyapatite demonstrates substantial potential as a sustainable biomaterial for future orthopedic and dental applications.