The present overview is intended to point the readers’ attention to
the important subject of calcium orthophosphates (CaPO4).
This type of materials is of the special significance for the human beings because
they represent the inorganic part of major normal (bones, teeth and antlers) and
pathological (i.e., those appearing due to various diseases) calcified tissues of
mammals. For example, atherosclerosis results in blood vessel blockage caused by a
solid composite of cholesterol with CaPO4, while dental
caries and osteoporosis mean a partial decalcification of teeth and bones,
respectively, that results in replacement of a less soluble and harder biological
apatite by more soluble and softer calcium hydrogenorthophosphates. Therefore, the
processes of both normal and pathological calcifications are just an in vivo
crystallization of CaPO4. Similarly, dental caries and
osteoporosis might be considered as in vivo dissolution of
CaPO4. In addition, natural CaPO4
are the major source of phosphorus, which is used to produce agricultural
fertilizers, detergents and various phosphorus-containing chemicals. Thus, there is
a great significance of CaPO4 for the humankind and, in this
paper, an overview on the current knowledge on this subject is provided.