A process for preparing a devitalized cartilage graft comprises crafting acartilage matrixinto individual grafts, cleaning and disinfecting the cartilage graft,optionally applying apretreatment solution to the cartilage graft, and removing cellular debrisusing an extractingsolution to produce a devitalized cartilage graft. The devitalized graft issuitable for implantationinto a cartilage defect, which can be sealed with recipient tissue.