Structure and mineral element composition of the lyophilised freshwater bryozoan Hyallinela punctata

Abstract

Structure of the lyophilised colonies of the freshwater bryozoan Hyalinella punctata (Hancock, 1850) and their mineral element composition were studied by X ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectrometry for the first time ever. The X ray measurements showed amorphous structure of the bryozoan, while SEM indicated porous connected structure without regular structural motifs. Considerable presence of phosphorus (7949.69 μg/ml), sulphur (6204.7 μg/ml) and calcium (6139.58 μg/ml), as well as low heavy metal content was found by ICP. The obtained results jointly indicate the potential of the investigated animal species as a base for bioscaffolds and nanocomposites