Precipitation of hydroxyapatite from dilute solutions upon seeding

Magnesium activation affects the properties and phosphate sorption capacity of poultry litter biochar

Biochars with a high affinity for phosphorus (P) are promising soil amendments for reducing P in agricultural run-off. Poultry litter (PL) is an abundant biochar feedstock. However, PL-derived biochars are typically high in soluble P and therefore require chemical modification to become effective P sorbents. This study investigated the effect of magnesium (Mg) activation on extractable P (EP) and P sorption capacities of PL-derived biochars. Biochar was produced at 500-900 °C from PL activated with 0-1 M Mg. Three differentially aged PL feedstocks were evaluated (1-, 3-5-, and 7-9-year-old). Increased Mg activation level and pyrolysis temperature both resulted in EP reductions from the biochars. Specifically, biochars produced at temperatures ≥ 700 °C from PL activated with ≥ 0.25 M Mg had negligible EP. X-ray diffractograms indicated that increased Mg loading favored the formation of stable Mg3(PO4)2 phases while increasing temperature favored the formation of both Mg3(PO4)2 and Ca5(PO4)3OH. Maximum P sorption capacities (Pmax) of the biochars were estimated by fitting Langmuir isotherms to batch sorption data and ranged from 0.66-10.35 mg g-1. Average Pmax values were not affected by PL age or pyrolysis temperature; however, biochars produced from 1 M Mg-activated PL did have significantly higher average Pmax values (p < 0.05), likely due to a greater abundance of MgO. Overall, the results demonstrated that Mg activation is an effective strategy for producing PL-derived biochars with the potential ability to reduce P loading into environmentally sensitive ecosystems.

Interaction of MOPS buffer with glass-ceramic scaffold: Effect of (PO4 )3- ions in SBF on kinetics and morphology of formatted hydroxyapatite

The international standard ISO 23317:2014 for the in vitro testing of inorganic biomaterials in simulated body fluid (SBF) uses TRIS buffer to maintain neutral pH. In our previous papers, we investigated the interaction of a glass–ceramic scaffold with TRIS and HEPES buffers. Both of them speeded up glass–ceramic dissolution and hydroxyapatite (HAp) precipitation, thereby demonstrating their unsuitability for the in vitro testing of highly reactive biomaterials. In this article, we tested MOPS buffer (3‐[N‐morpholino] propanesulfonic acid), another amino acid from the group of “Goods buffers”. A highly reactive glass–ceramic scaffold (derived from Bioglass®) was exposed to SBF under static–dynamic conditions for 13/15 days. The kinetics and morphology of the newly precipitated HAp were studied using two different concentrations of (PO₄)³⁻ ions in SBF. The pH value and the Si^IV, Ca²⁺, and (PO₄)³⁻ concentrations in the SBF leachate samples were measured every day (AAS, spectrophotometry). The glass–ceramic scaffold was monitored by SEM/EDS, XRD, WD‐XRF, and BET before and after 1, 3, 7, 11, and 13/15 days of exposure. As in the case of TRIS and HEPES, the preferential dissolution of the glass–ceramic crystalline phase (Combeite) was observed, but less intensively. The lower concentration of (PO₄)³⁻ ions slowed down the kinetics of HAp precipitation, thereby causing the disintegration of the scaffold structure. This phenomenon shows that the HAp phase was predominately generated by the presence of (PO₄)³⁻ ions in the SBF, not in the glass–ceramic material. Irrespective of this, MOPS buffer is not suitable for the maintenance of pH in SBF.

Hydroxyapatite/sericin composites: A simple synthesis route under near-physiological conditions of temperature and pH and preliminary study of the effect of sericin on the biomineralization process

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and sericin (SS) nanocomposites was carried out by a simple precipitation method performed in batch in a stirred tank reactor (ST). The reaction was achieved by mixing a solution of calcium chloride dihydrate, in which SS was dissolved, with a solution of disodium hydrogen phosphate at 37 °C. Three experimental conditions were studied by varying the concentration of SS: HAp, HAp/SS1 (0.01 g/L of SS) and HAp/SS2 (1 g/L of SS). The chemical and physical properties of the resulting HAp/SS nanocomposites were studied using several techniques (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Selected area diffraction (SAED) and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)). pH profile was also monitored over time for each experimental condition. The results revealed that nano single-phased HAp was formed with both rod and plate-like shape. Additionally, the particles have low crystallinity, characteristic similar to biological HAp. Regarding the influence of SS, one observed that with increasing SS concentration there is an increase in the mean particle size and the number of plate-like particles, as well as an increase in the aggregation degree and a decrease of the crystallinity. Further, the composites obtained have an inorganic/organic composition comparable to bone. Finally, in vitro cytotoxicity showed that the synthetized nanoparticles are non-toxic and cell viability is higher for HAp and HAp/SS samples when compared to a commercially available HAp. The produced materials can thus be considered suitable candidates for bone related applications.

Qualitative analysis on crystal growth of synthetic hydroxyapatite influenced by fluoride concentration

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to analyze the crystal growth of synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) particles in pH 7.0 supersaturated solutions with different fluoride concentrations by FE-SEM, FE-TEM, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FTIR.

DESIGN

Eight groups of pH 7.0 calcium phosphate supersaturated solutions were prepared with different fluoride concentrations (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 ppm). Each solution was introduced into the reactive column containing the synthetic HA for 48 h. The resulting products were prepared for FE-SEM, FE-TEM, XRD, and FTIR.

RESULTS

The FE-SEM examination revealed various morphological changes of the crystals, with additional, less-ordered crystallites in experimental solutions containing more than 8 ppm of fluoride. FE-TEM examination showed an additional amorphous layer on the surface of the crystals with the presence of fluoride, whereas definite lattice structures completely reached the surface of the crystals without fluorides. XRD data showed that all crystals had the same patterns as the unreacted synthetic HA, regardless of fluoride concentration. With FTIR results, the intensity of the OH-libration mode decreased when adding fluoride, compared to that of pristine HA. The resulting crystals were considered to be partially fluoridated HA under room temperature and pH 7.0 supersaturated solutions.

CONCLUSION

Under the experimental conditions in this study, fluorides mainly react with the surface of the seed HA and have an impact on the growth of HA in a less effective manner as the concentration of fluoride increases.

Durable Self-Cleaning Coatings for Architectural Surfaces by Incorporation of TiO₂ Nano-Particles into Hydroxyapatite Films

To prevent soiling of marble exposed outdoors, the use of TiO₂ nano-particles has been proposed in the literature by two main routes, both raising durability issues: (i) direct application to marble surface, with the risk of particle leaching by rainfall; (ii) particle incorporation into inorganic or organic coatings, with the risk of organic coating degradation catalyzed by TiO₂ photoactivity. Here, we investigated the combination of nano-TiO₂ and hydroxyapatite (HAP), previously developed for marble protection against dissolution in rain and mechanical consolidation. HAP-TiO₂ combination was investigated by two routes: (i) sequential application of HAP followed by nano-TiO₂ (“H+T”); (ii) simultaneous application by introducing nano-TiO₂ into the phosphate solution used to form HAP (“HT”). The self-cleaning ability was evaluated before and after prolonged exposure to simulated rain. “H+T” and “HT” coatings exhibited much better resistance to nano-TiO₂ leaching by rain, compared to TiO₂ alone. In “H+T” samples, TiO₂ nano-particles adhere better to HAP (having flower-like morphology and high specific surface area) than to marble. In “HT” samples, thanks to chemical bonds between nano-TiO₂ and HAP, the particles are firmly incorporated in the HAP coating, which protects them from leaching by rain, without diminishing their photoactivity and without being degraded by them.

The Degradation Interface of Magnesium Based Alloys in Direct Contact with Human Primary Osteoblast Cells

Magnesium alloys have been identified as a new generation material of orthopaedic implants. In vitro setups mimicking physiological conditions are promising for material / degradation analysis prior to in vivo studies however the direct influence of cell on the degradation mechanism has never been investigated. For the first time, the direct, active, influence of human primary osteoblasts on magnesium-based materials (pure magnesium, Mg-2Ag and Mg-10Gd alloys) is studied for up to 14 days. Several parameters such as composition of the degradation interface (directly beneath the cells) are analysed with a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray and focused ion beam. Furthermore, influence of the materials on cell metabolism is examined via different parameters like active mineralisation process. The results are highlighting the influences of the selected alloying element on the initial cells metabolic activity.

Maintenance of supersaturation II: indomethacin crystal growth kinetics versus degree of supersaturation

This study compares the kinetics of crystal growth of indomethacin from supersaturated suspensions at varying degrees of supersaturation (2 ≤ S ≥ 9) in the presence of seed crystals of the γ-form of indomethacin, the lowest energy polymorph. At high S (6 ≤ S ≥ 9), the crystal growth was first order with rate coefficients (kG ) that were nearly constant and consistent with the value predicted for bulk-diffusion control. At lower S (<6), kG values were significantly smaller, decreasing approximately linearly with a decrease in S. The decline in kG at low S was attributed to a prolonged period during the initial stages of crystal growth in which surface integration was rate limiting. The apparent solubility of indomethacin after crystal growth for 3 days increased by ∼1.6-fold at both low (S = 2) and high (S = 6) degrees of supersaturation suggesting that a higher energy surface layer was deposited on the γ-form seed crystals during crystal growth. When growth experiments were repeated at low S in the presence of indomethacin seed crystals isolated from a previous crystal growth experiment (i.e., seed crystals having higher energy surface), kG matched the higher values observed for bulk diffusion-controlled crystal growth. Crystal growth experiments were also conducted at S < 1.6 using a constant infusion of an indomethacin solution in the presence of γ-form seed crystals to obtain kG under conditions where deposition of a higher energy surface could not occur. At these conditions, the smaller value of kG indicative of surface integration control was again observed and the apparent solubility of indomethacin after crystal growth matched that of the γ-form. A quantitative mechanistic understanding of the crystal growth kinetics of indomethacin derived from experiments at high and low S may be useful in future studies aimed at understanding the inhibitory effects of pharmaceutical excipients on the crystal growth of poorly soluble compounds and their utility in maintaining drug supersaturation during oral absorption.

Functionalization of synthetic polymers for potential use as biomaterials: selective growth of hydroxyapatite on sulphonated polysulphone

A novel composite made of biocompatible synthetic polymer (Sulphonated Polysulphone, SPSPH) which may be easily fabricated in various shapes and synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAP) was prepared. The preparation was done by the spontaneous precipitation of HAP in aqueous suspensions of the polymer particles. The time the precipitation process was allowed to proceed was used to regulate the inorganic content of the composite. The preparation thus obtained, in addition to its effectiveness in inducing HAP formation, could be easily fabricated in various shapes, including films. The SPSPH-HAP composite films, surface area totaling ca. 30 cm2 induced the exclusive formation of HAP with rates proportional to the solution supersaturation. No induction times preceded the formation of HAP. Kinetics analysis with respect to HAP yielded an apparent order of precipitation of 6.0+/-0.4, suggesting polynuclear growth with the formation of nuclei above nuclei. The surface energy calculated from the rates of crystal growth on the polymeric substrate gave for HAP the value of 185 mJ m(-2) of order of magnitude typical for crystalline solids.

The effect of supersaturation on apatite crystal formation in aqueous solutions at physiologic pH and temperature

The importance of supersaturation in the dynamics of apatite precipitation from aqueous solutions is well-established. To determine whether this parameter has a comparable impact on the concomitant development of the textural properties of this phase, such as crystal size and shape, we investigated mineral accretion in synthetic solutions seeded with 0.67 g/L apatite over a range of supersaturations at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. A dual specific-ion electrode-controlled titration method was used to maintain the seeded reactions under the following solution conditions: 1.0 to 1.8 mmol/L Ca2+, 0.67 to 1.2 mmol/L total phosphate (PO4), Ca/PO4 (initial) = 1.5, 143 mmol/L KNO3, and 10 mmol/L HEPES. Samples were collected for chemical and textural analyses when the seed apatite was reduced by new accretions to 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, and 1/32 of the total solids in suspension. All new accretions were found to be apatitic. At the lowest supersaturation, accretion occurred primarily by growth of the seed crystals. However, at the highest supersaturation examined, the crystals at the end of the experiments were actually smaller, on average, than the original seeds, even though the total mass increased 32-fold. The results suggest that proliferation of new crystals supplanted growth of the seed crystals as supersaturation was increased. The results also suggest that differences in tissue fluid supersaturation may contribute to the large disparity in dimensions between dentin and enamel apatite crystals.

Seeded growth of hydroxyapatite in the presence of dissolved albumin

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals were grown from a supersaturated solution by the addition of a suspension of seed crystals at a controlled pH value of 7.4 and a temperature of 37 degrees C. The degree of supersaturation was comparable to that in biological fluids and was such that all HAP precipitated would be expected to deposit on the seeds. Albumin was added to some of the solutions to give a concentration in the range 75-250 micrograms cm-3. Samples of solution were removed at known times after the addition of seed crystals and their calcium ion concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The decrease in the dissolved calcium concentration was taken to be a measure of crystal growth. In the absence of seeds, no decrease in calcium concentration occurred. The initial rate of HAP growth decreased linearly with albumin concentration, i.e., albumin was found to inhibit crystal growth. Inhibition kinetics were consistent with a Langmuir model in which a single albumin molecule was capable of binding to more than one growth site on the crystal surface. Comparison with published results indicated that albumin was a less potent inhibitor of HAP growth than phosphoproteins but was a more potent inhibitor than magnesium or citrate ions.

Crystals in equine articular cartilage

Crystal deposits have been observed in equine articular cartilage and identified by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction as octacalcium phosphate and calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate. Of 89 equine fetlock joints examined 10 contained evidence of calcification visible by eye. It is suggested that the deposition of crystals may be a mediator of arthritis in horses and may also cause damage directly.

Seeded growth of hydroxyapatite in the presence of dissolved albumin at constant composition

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) crystals were grown from a supersaturated solution by the addition of seed crystals at a temperature of 37 degrees C. Throughout the experiment, the pH and calcium ion concentration were monitored by electrodes in the solution, and maintained at constant values by the addition of ammonia solution (maintaining a pH value of 7.4 during HAP precipitation) and calcium nitrate solution. Triammonium orthophosphate solution was added at the same time as calcium nitrate, so that the ratio of calcium to phosphate ions in the solution was appropriate to the precipitation of HAP. The volume of calcium nitrate solution which needed to be added was used as a measure of HAP crystal growth. Albumin was added to some of the supersaturated solutions to give a concentration in the range 50-250 micrograms cm-3. HAP crystals grown at different albumin concentrations were examined by scanning electron microscopy. After an initial period of 30 min, the growth of HAP crystals increased linearly with time. This behavior was attributed to initial growth healing such dislocations as steps and kinks; growth at screw dislocations was considered to occur throughout the period of the experiment and to give rise to the linear growth phase. The linear growth rate decreased linearly with the albumin concentration. HAP crystals grown in the absence of albumin formed spherical aggregates; the size of these aggregates decreased with the albumin concentration.

Heterogeneous synthesis of fluoridated hydroxyapatites

Fluoridated hydroxyapatites were synthesized with two different modes of fluoride supply: by supplying F(-)-free solution initially, followed by a F(-)-containing solution whose fluoride concentration was stoichiometrically equal to that of fluorapatite; and with the order of supply of these solutions reversed. Both of these heterogeneously synthesized fluoridated hydroxyapatites showed typical calcium phosphate X-ray diffraction patterns; and both had similar total fluoride contents (0.94 +/- 0.02 and 0.99 +/- 0.03 mmol/g, respectively), i.e. half of the maximum fluoride content of fluorapatite. However, they differed considerably in their physico-chemical properties. The former had a wider peak breadth of X-ray diffraction and a lower apparent solubility (Ca = 12.2 +/- 0.7 mmol/l) than the latter (Ca = 19.8 +/- 0.4 mmol/l) at 37 degrees C and pH 4.0. Wavelength dispersive spectroscopy attached to scanning electron microscopy gave clearly different spectra. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis of apatite pellets made by pressing and heating showed a slightly larger F1s signal at the crystal surface of the former, although the difference was not marked. These results suggest that two different types of heterogeneous fluoridated hydroxyapatites were formed, hydroxyapatite covered with fluorapatite and fluorapatite covered with hydroxyapatite.

Possible function of matrix proteins in fluoride incorporation into enamel mineral during porcine amelogenesis

The present study was undertaken to elucidate the mechanism of fluoride incorporation into secretory enamel mineral, with porcine enamel used as a model. Although the fluoride content in the enamel varied greatly among the animals, we observed that the fluoride-to-calcium ratio in the enamel tissue was maximal at the beginning of the secretory stage; the F/Ca ratio decreased (and leveled off) with the advancement of mineralization. In vitro work showed that some of the fluoride in the secretory enamel tissue was removed with the extraction of organic matter, mostly amelogenins. Furthermore, coating hydroxyapatite crystals with enamel matrix proteins resulted in a retardation of fluoride incorporation into the crystals when exposed to fluoride solutions, as a result of an inhibition of apatite reprecipitation. We also confirmed that the growth kinetics of fluoridated apatite onto HA seeds decreased with increasing coverage of the seed surface with the enamel proteins. All the results of the present study strongly suggest that the fluoride incorporation into enamel mineral during the secretory stage may be regulated by the kinetics of mineralization, which is highly dependent on the driving force for precipitation and the presence of proteinaceous inhibitors, mainly amelogenins.

Mineral phases of calcium phosphate

Many studies of calcium phosphate precipitation have been made using relaxation techniques in which the concentrations of the lattice ions are allowed to decrease as equilibrium is approached. Since the nature of the phases that form depend markedly on the solution composition, this decrease can lead to concomitant phase transformations during the crystallization experiments. The results of the present constant composition (CC) studies show that defect apatites may be formed under conditions of sustained supersaturation with a non-stoichiometric coefficient dependent on the pH of the growth medium. An important factor in analyzing these experiments is the initial surface modification and ion-exchange processes involving H+ and Ca2+ ions after inoculation of the supersaturated solutions. Thereafter, active growth sites may be eliminated as the crystals undergo lattice perfection. Transformation of dicalcium phosphate dihydrate to octacalcium phosphate, involving dissolution and subsequent nucleation and growth of the new phase, is also influenced by surface roughening of the initial phase. Typical inhibitors that reduce the rate of growth of seed crystals in supersaturated solutions may actually induce the nucleation of calcium phosphate phases when immobilized on inert surfaces. This may be a factor in the modulation of crystal growth in many biological systems.

Evaluation of 2-phosphono-butane 1,2,4 tricarboxylate as a crystal growth inhibitor in vitro and in vivo

The inhibitory activity of 2-phosphono-butane 1,2,4 tricarboxylic acid (PBTA) in the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) was studied in vitro and in vivo. PBTA, at 4 ppm, inhibited the spontaneous formation of HA in vitro from a supersaturated solution. PBTA, at 2 ppm, completely inhibited the crystal growth of HA; at lower concentrations, a direct relationship was found between the reduction of the initial precipitation rates and PBTA concentrations in the solution. The effects of PBTA on human dental enamel in vitro were also evaluated at pH 5.0 and 7.5. Equimolar levels of EDTA served as the controls. In comparison with EDTA, the dissolution of enamel induced by PBTA was negligible. One percent solution of PBTA was evaluated in a rat calculus assay. In comparison with a placebo solution, it significantly (p = 0.05) reduced calculus formation when applied topically. It was also tested against calculus formation in beagle dogs. A topical application once a day of a 1% solution at pH 7.0 reduced calculus formation by 84% for 16 weeks. Analysis of these data suggests that the agent effectively reduces calculus formation in vivo.

Inhibition of apatite crystal growth by the amino-terminal segment of human salivary acidic proline-rich proteins

Inhibition of seeded apatitic crystal growth by human salivary acidic proline-rich phosphoproteins (PRP) has been related to their adsorption onto the apatite seeds. The amino-terminal 30-residue segment of the PRP makes an important contribution to this adsorption. This peptide (PRP1(T1] and its dephosphorylated analogue from PRP3 (PRP3(T1)DP) were prepared. They have identical sequences, except the phosphates at residues 8 and 22 in PRP1(T1) are absent from PRP3(T1)DP. Adsorption of these peptides onto hydroxyapatite and their effect on crystal growth from a defined supersaturated solution was studied. Adsorption behavior was adequately described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption affinity constant of PRP1(T1) (K = 20,200 ml/mumol) was more than 10 times the corresponding value for PRP3(T1)DP (1,800 ml/mumol), and similar to that of the parent protein, PRP1 (26,200 ml/mumol). Inhibition of crystal growth by the peptides was interpreted in terms of the fractional coverage of the maximum number of adsorption sites (as derived from the adsorption isotherms), suggesting that the molecules block, by adsorption, specific growth sites on these surfaces. Comparison of precipitation kinetics showed that PRP1(T1) is a more effective inhibitor than PRP3(T1)DP at the same initial concentration (10(-6)-10(-7)M). However, on the basis of per mol adsorbed, PRP3(T1)DP displays a greater inhibitory activity; such a behavior is consistent with a more open molecular structure which blocks more growth sites per mol adsorbed than PRP1(T1).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

High-resolution electron microscopy of hydroxyapatite grown in dilute solutions

High-resolution electron microscopy (HREM) was applied to the study of seeded crystal growth of hydroxyapatite (HA) in supersaturated solutions. The HA seed crystals were rod-shaped, elongated along the c-axis, and showed smooth contours. The seed crystals exhibited hexagonal prism facets, and one end was rhombohedrally terminated, whereas the opposite end was blunt. Growth experiments were carried out at 37 degrees C, and solution compositions were carefully selected to avoid the involvement of precursor phases during the HA growth. After five-hour growth, the total amount of precipitation was from 3 to 7% of the initial crystal mass added to the solutions; examination of the crystals by HREM disclosed the formation of projections on the end surfaces of the HA crystals. High-resolution TEM clearly showed lattice fringes with predictable spacings over the entire crystal specimen, including the formed projections. Analysis of selected regions by optical diffraction of the HRTEM fringe negatives showed that the nature and orientation of the projections were similar to those of the underlying seed crystal. High-resolution SEM of the HA crystal after five-hour growth disclosed step-like structures on the prism faces, as well as the projections localized on the ends. These results strongly suggest that more than one growth process may be involved, perhaps related to the distinct faces of the HA seed crystals.

Preparation of hydroxyapatite crystals and their behavior as seeds for crystal growth

Samples of crystalline hydroxyapatite [Ca5OH(PO4)3 HA] were prepared by precipitation from aqueous media under a variety of experimental conditions (temperature, concentration of reagents, rates of addition of the reagents, and seeding). The resultant products showed a wide range of particle sizes, i.e., specific surface areas, from 6.39 to 50.1 m2/g. In these preparations, relatively large crystals were obtained with low rates of addition of the reagents or by seeding the precipitating medium. Small differences in super-saturation of the reaction medium can markedly affect the particle sizes and crystalline habits of the resulting products, possibly by altering the processes of nucleation and subsequent crystal growth. When these crystalline materials were used as seeds to study the crystal growth of HA, it was confirmed that the precipitation rate of calcium apatite on seed crystals is highly dependent on the surface areas available for growth, rather than on the particle sizes and amounts of the seed crystals. Small differences in the kinetic runs were observed between the various seed crystals, which can be attributed to differences in the surface properties of these crystals. Additionally, transmission electron microscopy of the seed crystals revealed that some projections form, possibly on the basal planes of the crystals, during crystal growth. Since the growth rate of these projections was greater than the mean growth rate calculated on the basis of changes in solution composition and total surface area, it appears that the kinetics of the growth process is determined, to some extent, by the geometry of the seeds.

Inhibition of seeded growth of enamel apatite crystals by amelogenin and enamelin proteins in vitro

The effect of enamel matrix proteins on the seeded growth of enamel apatite crystals was studied in stable supersaturated solutions at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C. Of the two major protein classes in the enamel matrix, the enamelins were considerably more effective than the amelogenins in retarding seeded growth. However, the amelogenin species that did show significant inhibitory activity are those known to be lost first from the enamel matrix during the rapid mineralization stage of enamel maturation.

Solubility of calcium salts, enamel, and hydroxyapatite in aqueous solutions of simple carbohydrates

The solubility of various Ca(II) salts, hydroxyapatite, and powdered human dental enamel in the presence of simple carbohydrates was studied by determining the complex strength between Ca(II) and the carbohydrates. In 1.0 M CaSO4, the following simplified sequence of complex strengths was obtained for the more common carbohydrates: Na-citrate greater than D-sorbitol greater than xylitol greater than D-mannitol greater than D-fructose greater than D-glucose greater than D-xylose. Whereas the more soluble Ca(II) compounds (like CaSO4) exerted measurable complexation with xylitol, no such complexation was found with hydroxyapatite and enamel powder. This also concerned other alditols. Calculation of the stability constants (K) showed sorbitol (K = 0.81 M) and xylitol (K = 0.67 M) to form stronger complexes in saturated CaSO4 than other alditols. The most suitable coordination site appeared to be a vicinal cis-cis-triol. Precipitation studies showed that 0.5 M xylitol and 0.5 M sorbitol significantly retarded the formation of calcium phosphate precipitates from a solution of Ca(II) and phosphate, compared with the effect caused by glucose, sorbose, or xylose. The effect caused by xylitol and sorbitol was explained in terms of partial displacement of water molecules in the primary hydration layer of Ca(II) ions, caused by competition between polyol and water molecules. In the presence of aldoses and ketoses, virtually instantaneous precipitation occurred. These results suggest that open-chain alditols may influence the chemical reactions of Ca(II) in plaque, saliva, and caries lesions. Alditols do not function as demineralizing agents of the teeth, however. Through the retarding effect on calcium phosphate precipitation, alditols may favorably govern remineralization of carious lesions.

Transmission electron microscopic study of calcium phosphate formation in supersaturated solutions seeded with apatite

The present study examined crystal growth on enamel and synthetic apatite seed surfaces in dilute supersaturated solutions by means of transmission electron microscopy. At all supersaturations, new growth initially appeared on the ends of the seed crystal. In solutions undersaturated with respect to octacalcium phosphate (OCP), this growth was needlelike in appearance. Above the solubility point for OCP, the growth frequently took the form of thin, platelike crystals. The relevance of these findings to precursor phase formation is discussed.

Adsorption of molecules of biological interest onto hydroxyapatite

Equilibrium and kinetic experiments were conducted to investigate the factors determining the adsorption of salivary macromolecules onto hydroxyapatite. Using amino acids and other small adsorbates, it was determined that the carboxyl attached to the alpha carbon does not appear to adsorb onto HA and the affinities of side-chain carboxyls are much smaller than that of the phosphate group (phosphoserine). Hydroxyl (serine) displays an extremely high affinity, but its adsorption site on HA is different and the number of such sites is much smaller than found for the rest of the functional groups investigated. It is shown that the information obtained from small molecules cannot be readily applied to prediction of the adsorption behavior of salivary macromolecules and polypeptides. The kinetics of adsorption of the salivary phosphopeptide statherin, a polyaspartate, and the salivary prolinerich phosphoprotein PRP3 are consistent with the reversibility of the adsorption process; no conclusion was possible in the case of the protein PRP1. Apparent irreversibility cannot be explained on the basis of multipoint binding or the properties of the carboxyl versus phosphate group; it appears that secondary structure determines to a significant extent the adsorption properties of the macromolecules. Calculation of the thermodynamic molar quantities of adsorption of PRP1, PRP3, and L-ASP onto HA showed that the process is entropically driven. The functional relationship between partial molar entropy and adsorption coverage is similar for the two proteins, but quite different from that for aspartate. Explanations for these results are advanced on the bases of changes in structure configurations and displacement of water from the adsorbate and the adsorbent surface, the second factor being the dominant one in the adsorption of a small molecule such as L-ASP.

Blood:bone disequilibrium. VI. Studies of the solubility characteristics of brushite: apatite mixtures and their stabilization by noncollagenous proteins of bone

Recent evidence of the occurrence of brushite in newly formed bone mineral prompted a study of the solubility properties of brushite:apatite mixtures under physiological conditions and the influence on them of pH, lactate, pyruvate, and, particularly, noncollagenous bone proteins (NCBPs). Brushite alone was surprisingly stable in solution at pH 7.4, 37 degrees C. In the presence of increasing amounts of apatite, hydrolysis of brushite to an insoluble phase occurred. A decrease of 0.1 pH unit or the addition of 1.5 mM pyruvate or 10 mM lactate increased the ion activity product (Ca2+ x HPO4(2-) 3 or more times. However, within the loose envelope of bone such conditions so different from those in the circulation might be only local or temporary. NCBPs, on the other hand, stabilized brushite in solution alone as well as in the presence of apatite for days. They probably act by adsorbing strongly to the crystal surface and preventing nucleation by apatite. This brushite-apatite-bone protein system exhibits solubility characteristics that can resolve the old problems presented by the participation of the skeleton in extracellular calcium homeostasis on the one hand, and by the apparent insolubility of the apatite mineral of bone on the other.

Crystal growth of calcium apatites in dilute solutions containing fluoride

The kinetics of seeded crystal growth of calcium apatites were studied in dilute supersaturated solutions at various levels of fluoride concentrations. Initial precipitation rates were enhanced by fluoride concentrations higher than 0.05 ppm. The analytical results are consistent with the precipitation of fluoridated hydroxyapatites, Ca5Fx-(OH)1-x(PO4)3, FHA. The degree of fluoridation, X, appears to be determined by the activity of HF in solution, which varies for the various initial fluoride levels but remains fairly constant during precipitation. Thus the composition of the precipitating phase was the same for a given solution whether 25 or 10 mg of hydroxyapatite was added as seeds. All the experimental results are consistent with the BCF theory, which relates the mean linear rate of growth, RL, to the supersaturation, DS, by the expression RL = C1T(DS-1)1n(DS)tanh(C2/T 1n DS), in which DS is the supersaturation defined by mean molar activities with respect to the precipitating FHA, T the absolute temperature, and C1 and C2 are constants calculated from the experimental results. Consequently, the crystal growth appears to take place in surface kinks and to be controlled by surface diffusion. Since crystal growth in most biological systems takes place at fluoride concentrations within the experimental range used, it seems probable that it occurs along the model advanced in the present investigation.

Modification by salivary pellicles of in vitro enamel remineralization

The effectiveness of inorganic calcifying solutions to remineralize enamel with subsurface demineralization decreased with saliva pre-treatments conducive to the formation of enamel pellicles. Greater reductions in remineralization rates occurred with longer pellicle formation times. It is suggested that enamel pellicles may act to control surface deposition and favor subsurface precipitation.

Effect of human salivary proteins on the precipitation kinetics of calcium phosphate

Inhibition of calcium phosphate precipitation in saliva, and prevention of the formation of mineral accretions on tooth surfaces, has been ascribed to the existence of inhibiting salivary macromolecules. Marked reductions in the crystal growth rate of hydroxyapatite (HA) seeds were measured in supersaturated solutions containing either of two proline-rich proteins, PRP1 or PRP3, or statherin; the three macromolecules were isolated from human parotid saliva. The reductions were also observed when the HA seeds were pretreated with solutions of the macromolecules before adding them to the supersaturated calcium phosphate solution. This effect was very similar in the case of the two PRPs and it was directly related to the extent of adsorption site coverage of these proteins on the HA seeds. The effect of statherin was larger than anticipated from its adsorption behavior. However, comparison on the basis of number of moles adsorbed per unit area of HA shows that the PRP are more effective inhibitors than statherin. The macromolecule concentrations used were considerably lower than those in the salivary secretions, therefore these macromolecules could readily prevent mineral accretion on tooth surfaces through their adsorption onto the enamel surface.