Fig. 4

Mechanical properties of specimens during decellularization and sterilization process were determined and a moderate reduction of Young’s Modulus E col. (b), Max Stress (e) and UTS (g) was observed following freeze-thaw-cycle (n = 8) and standard decellularization treatment (SDT, n = 8) when compared to native controls (n = 12). Statistical significance was reached in the sterilization group with regards to Young’s Modulus E ela (a), Max Strain (f), Failure Strain (h) and Trans Strain (d). Final decellularized and sterilized BCAs (sterilization, n = 8) showed comparable results to native controls in regard to Youngs-Modulus E col. (b), Max Stress (e), UTS (g) and Trans Stress (c). SDT without freeze-thaw treatment (SDT w/o Freeze-Thaw-Cycle, n = 8) is shown for informatory purposes only but was not used to generate specimens intended for recellularization