Dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (brushite) and octacalcium phosphate (OCP) crystals are precursors of hydroxyapatite (HAp) for tooth enamel, dentine, and bones formation in living organisms. Here, we introduce a new method for biomimicking brushite and OCP in starch using single and double diffusion techniques. Brushite and OCP crystals were grown by precipitation in starch after gelation. The obtained materials were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). IR spectra demonstrate starch inclusion by peak shifts in the 2900−3500 cm −1 region. SEM showed two different morphologies: plate-shaped and needle-like crystals. Calcium phosphate/starch aggregates bear strong resemblance to prismatic brushite kidney stones. This may open up a clue to understand the mechanism of kidney stone formation.
Our study has focused on the crystal growth of strontium phosphates via gel growth method due to the bioactivity and biocompatibility of these materials with bone tissue.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.