Hydroxyapatite extraction from fish scales of Tilapia

Hydroxyapatite is the inorganic component of human bones. To be used for bone replacements, hydroxyapatite can be synthesized or extracted from natural components. In this work we present the hydroxyapatite extraction from fish scales of the same Orechromis family (Tilapia) but from two different species usually consumed in Mexico and in Spain. Our results indicate, for both species, that it is possible to obtain hydroxyapatite, and moreover, that this biomaterial is enriched with magnesium for the Mexican Oreochromis hunteri, and with aluminum for the Spanish Oreochromis niloticus.