AbstractThis study was conducted to fabricate scaffold from polylactic acid (PLA) and hydroxyapatite (HA) extracted from waste bovine bone for enhancing both mechanical and biocompatible properties. After pretreatment in dilute NaOH solution, the bone was calcined at 900°C for 6 h, ball milled and converted to HA. Factors that affect the formation of HA were investigated. Experimental results showed that HA particles with crystal size < 100 nm and 99% crystallinity could be obtained at 90°C, pH 11 and 35 mM H3PO4 solution followed by 4 h calcination at 900°C. By using non-solvent induced phase separation method, PLA scaffolds with pore size and surface area of 22.6 μm and 25.7 m2/g, respectively, containing different hydroxyapatite were successfully prepared. Tensile strength of scaffolds increased due to effective support by HA grafted collagen. PLA scaffolds containing HA were more degradable than PLA scaffolds and PLA scaffolds containing HA grafted collagen. Cell culture results showed that cell density increased significantly on porous scaffolds than that on the dense scaffolds. Moreover, cell density also increased significantly on the scaffold containing HA grafted collagen than that on the scaffold with pure HA.