Hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been widely used as an implant material for repairing or substituting human hard tissues due to its close similarity in composition to the natural bone and teeth. Many researchers are preparing HAp from natural and chemical sources. Generally, the products from the chemical sources are incompatible and do not meet out the biomedical demand. Thus, the present study is focused to compare the products from both natural and chemical sources through microwave irradiation method. For synthesizing HAp, calcium source was achieved from commercial calcium nitrate (Ca (NO3)2 4H2O) and sea shell (Murex virgineus) as CaO. The effect of polymers (poly ethylene glycol (PEG) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)) on both natural and chemically derived HAp is examined. For making better comparison, synthesized products have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy with SAED pattern, and antibacterial activity. Better rod-like morphology and suitable crystallinity are achieved in the naturally derived HAp. The overall results show that the polymer-assisted nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) from Murex virgineus could enhance properties such as size, shape, surface area, and antibacterial activity. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.