A processing method of hydroxy-carbonate apatite (HCAp) from the natural bone and their phase purity, crystal structure, chemical functionality, thermal stability, morphology, and solubility are described in this investigation. The X-ray diffraction analysis suggested that the processed bone corresponds characteristically to carbonate (CO32-) containing hydroxyapatite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study confirmed the presence of CO32- in addition to hydroxyl (OH-) and phosphate (PO43-) functional groups, indicating the formation of HCAp. Environmental scanning electron microscopy was employed to identify the surface morphology of HCAp, which obviously shows a nanoporous structure throughout the matrix. The in vitro solubility study performed under physiological conditions confirms the resorbable nature of HCAp. These findings indicate the feasibility of processing nanoporous HCAp scaffolds from the natural bone by a straightforward method. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.