Unique surface and internal structure of struvite crystals formed by Proteus mirabilis

Abstract

Crystallization of struvite from artificial urine in the presence of Proteus mirabilis microorganisms depends strongly on pH value. At small value of pH, struvite yields crystals of coffin-like habit with very specific structure. The analysis using scanning electron microscopy shows that the crystals possess well-defined faces, but higher magnifications show very specific structuration as if the crystals were built from small three-dimensional subunits. The possible role of microorganisms in the formation of such a structuration is analyzed. At higher pH value, the crystals exhibit dendritic growth with main trunk and branches. Although the formation mechanism of the specific structuration as well as dendritic structures is unknown, the nature of forces for such an alignment is analyzed. The revealed porous internal structure of struvite is also analyzed. The investigations provide evidence for the importance of biological regulation in crystallization process.

Morphology of struvite crystals as an evidence of bacteria mediated growth

“…It is suggested that bacteria play important role in directing the struvite surface structuration. The results [7] also show porous internal structure of struvite characteristic only for the growth in the presence of bacteria. Similar results have also been reported for other crystals.…”

“…The solution of artificial urine used during crystal growth experiments was made from the following components [11] [7,12]. The artificial urine was prepared by dissolving chemicals (Sigma Aldrich) of reagent-grade purity in redistilled water.…”

“…The investigations were carried out in the absence and in the presence of bacteria [4][5][6] from various kinds of media. Some of these investigations [5,7,8] show that in the presence of bacteria struvite crystals possess well defined faces with very specific surface structuration. It is suggested that bacteria play important role in directing the struvite surface structuration.…”

Solid Phases Precipitating in Artificial Urine in the Absence and Presence of Bacteria Proteus mirabilis—A Contribution to the Understanding of Infectious Urinary Stone Formation

“…Struvite shows very characteristic structuration suggesting its porous nature. This issue is known and has been described in the literature [33,34]. Figure 1d,e shows the obtained precipitate in the absence of bacteria and in the case when the composition of artificial urine is modified (without magnesium chloride hexahydrate) so that no formation of struvite takes place; only the precipitate which is the subject of our interest occurs.…”

Urolithiasis in Childhood: Review

“…92 olduğuna dair güçlü kanıtlar vardır. 87 Hayvansal proteinlerdeki sülfür içeren aminoasitler sülfürik asit şeklinde vücutta asit yüküne neden olmaktadır.…”