A team of researchers in Spain have found that the byproducts of brewing beer could be used to create scaffolding for bone grafts, according to a study.
According to Wired, the brewing process leaves behind organic waste that is rich in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and silica, materials which are all present in bone.
The study was conducted in collaboration by the Centre for Biomedical Technology of Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and the Institute of Materials Science and the Institute of Catalysis and Petrochemistry of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) in Spain.
The largest byproduct in the brewing process is bagasse, which is what is left behind when the grain has been utilised. The researchers discovered that the bagasse can be arranged into a mesh-like network.
The pores of the network range from 50-500 microns in diameter, which according to the report, is an excellent base for bone regrowth following an injury.
The byproduct could be used as a replacement candidates in osteoporotic treatments, coatings for prostheses, bone grafts and dental implants.
It provides greater cost effectiveness than conventional materials that are used, and eliminating the use of non-renewable raw materials or toxic substances in preparation of the conventional scaffolding.
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