Giant liposome microreactors for controlled production of calcium phosphate crystals

Calcium phosphates are among the most important biominerals in living organisms, where they play both a mechanical and a calcium storage role. Their growth in vivo is under strong biological control, and this process occurs in closed spaces. Our aim in this paper is to describe a microreactor system able to control the mineralization process within closed spaces. To this aim we produce giant liposomes containing calcium ions as active ions in the mineralization process, spermine as an activator of crystal growth, and alkaline phosphatase as a catalyst to convert phosphate esters into phosphates. These phosphate esters are provided in the form of p-nitrophenyl phosphate outside of the liposomes. It is demonstrated that these amphiphilic molecules are able to diffuse through the lipidic container and to be subsequently hydrolyzed under enzymatic catalysis into active phosphate species which interact with the already available calcium and spermine to produce calcium phosphates only in the interior of the liposomes. This opens the route to control the calcium phosphate particle size in biomimetic systems.     

Surface complexation of condensed phosphate to aluminum hydroxide: an ATR-FTIR spectroscopic investigation

Two model compounds, sodium pyrophosphate (pyro-P) and sodium tripolyphosphate (tripoly-P), were employed to elucidate the binding mechanisms of condensed phosphate on aluminum hydroxide by utilizing attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Peak assignments for the condensed phosphates in the solution phase and those adsorbed on the surface of aluminum hydroxide were made. Electron delocalization and polarization were employed to explain the peak shifts and the complexation of condensed phosphate with aluminum hydroxide. The tripoly-P and pyro-P were adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide by forming inner-sphere complexes. The adsorbed condensed phosphates were deprotonated in the pH range from 4 to 10. Monodentate, bidentate, and binuclear complexes were formed when pyro-P was adsorbed on aluminum hydroxide, while monodentate and binuclear complexes were formed when tripoly-P was adsorbed. Based on the FTIR data, we proposed that when either bidentate or binuclear complexes were formed, the two oxygen atoms participating in the complexation with aluminum hydroxide could not be originated from the same terminal phosphate moiety. The AlO bond formed in the complexation of pyro-P or tripoly-P with aluminum hydroxide (AlPO(-3)) was not as strong as the HO bond in terminal HPO(-3). The bridging PO(-2) of tripoly-P did not coordinate with aluminum hydroxide. The real-time ATR-FTIR study on condensed phosphate adsorption revealed that a long contact time between condensed phosphates and aluminum hydroxide particles can result in a transformation of an initially formed species into a thermodynamically more stable phase.     

Heavy metal immobilization in aqueous solution using calcium phosphate and calcium hydrogen phosphates

This study examines the possibilities for removing heavy metal cations from water with calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, and calcium dihydrogen phosphate at 293 K. It was reported that immobilization of aqueous heavy metal cations, which is known to be one of the characteristic properties of calcium hydroxyapatite, proceeded favorably with these phosphates. Calcium phosphate, calcium hydrogen phosphate, and calcium dihydrogen phosphate could favorably remove Pb2+ from aqueous solution. Calcium hydrogen phosphate also removed aqueous Cu2+, Co2+, and Cd2+, whereas these cations were not immobilized by calcium phosphate and calcium dihydrogen phosphate. A contribution of the dissolution-precipitation mechanism to immobilization with these phosphates is suggested.     

Removal of phosphate from solution by adsorption and precipitation of calcium phosphate onto monohydrocalcite

The sorption behavior and mechanism of phosphate on monohydrocalcite (CaCO₃?H₂O: MHC) were examined using batch sorption experiments as a function of phosphate concentrations, ionic strengths, temperatures, and reaction times. The mode of PO₄ sorption is divisible into three processes depending on the phosphate loading. At low phosphate concentrations, phosphate is removed by coprecipitation of phosphate during the transformation of MHC to calcite. The sorption mode at the low-to-moderate phosphate concentrations is most likely an adsorption process because the sorption isotherm at the conditions can be fitted reasonably with the Langmuir equation. The rapid sorption kinetics at the conditions is also consistent with the adsorption reaction. The adsorption of phosphate on MHC depends strongly on ionic strength, but slightly on temperature. The maximum adsorption capacities of MHC obtained from the regression of the experimental data to the Langmuir equation are higher than those reported for stable calcium carbonate (calcite or aragonite) in any conditions. At high phosphate concentrations, the amount of sorption deviates from the Langmuir isotherm, which can fit the low-to-moderate phosphate concentrations. Speciation–saturation analyses of the reacted solutions at the conditions indicated that the solution compositions which deviate from the Langmuir equation are supersaturated with respect to a certain calcium phosphate. The obtained calcium phosphate is most likely amorphous calcium phosphate (Ca₃(PO₄)₂?xH₂O). The formation of the calcium phosphate depends strongly on ionic strength, temperature, and reaction times. The solubility of MHC is higher than calcite and aragonite because of its metastability. Therefore, the higher solubility of MHC facilitates the formation of the calcium phosphates more than with calcite and aragonite.     

Elimination of phosphate interference in flame photometric determination of strontium and barium

The interference of phosphate in the flame emission of calcium, strontium and barium was studied. The emission intensity decreases proportionally to the amount of interfering anion up to a maximum depression for equimolar amounts of phosphate to metal. A thermostable phosphate is formed before the cation enters the flame. Appropriate addition of lanthanum restores the three alkaline earth lines to their intensities in absence of phosphate, the lanthanum displacing, the alkaline earths from their phosphates before the hot region of the flame is reached.     

Reaction of calcium and phosphate ions with titanium,zirconium, niobium,and tantalum

To understand the bone formation ability of constituent metal elements of new titanium alloys, titanium, zirconium, niobium, and tantalum, these metals were immersed in various electrolytes containing calcium and/or phosphate ions and characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition, cathodic polarization of the metals in the electrolytes was performed to evaluate the stability of the surface oxide films on the metals in the electrolyte. The calcium phosphate layer formed on Ti in electrolytes containing calcium and phosphate ions is relatively protective against mass transfer throughout the layer. However, the zirconium phosphate layer formed on Zr is much more protective and stable than that on Ti. Therefore, calcium ions were not incorporated. Nb and Ta formed calcium phosphate, but the amount was smaller than that in Ti, because phosphates formed on Nb and Ta are somewhat protective and the incorporation of the calcium ion is inhibited. Titanium played the most important role in forming calcium phosphate, while zirconium inhibited the formation of calcium phosphate on titanium alloys. The control of bone formation is feasible by the design of titanium alloys. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Biological and medical significance of calcium phosphates

The inorganic part of hard tissues (bones and teeth) of mammals consists of calcium phosphate, mainly of apatitic structure. Similarly, most undesired calcifications (i.e. those appearing as a result of various diseases) of mammals also contain calcium phosphate. For example, atherosclerosis results in blood-vessel blockage caused by a solid composite of cholesterol with calcium phosphate. Dental caries result in a replacement of less soluble and hard apatite by more soluble and softer calcium hydrogenphosphates. Osteoporosis is a demineralization of bone. Therefore, from a chemical point of view, processes of normal (bone and teeth formation and growth) and pathological (atherosclerosis and dental calculus) calcifications are just an in vivo crystallization of calcium phosphate. Similarly, dental caries and osteoporosis can be considered to be in vivo dissolution of calcium phosphates. On the other hand, because of the chemical similarity with biological calcified tissues, all calcium phosphates are remarkably biocompatible. This property is widely used in medicine for biomaterials that are either entirely made of or coated with calcium phosphate. For example, self-setting bone cements made of calcium phosphates are helpful in bone repair and titanium substitutes covered with a surface layer of calcium phosphates are used for hip-joint endoprostheses and tooth substitutes, to facilitate the growth of bone and thereby raise the mechanical stability. Calcium phosphates have a great biological and medical significance and in this review we give an overview of the current knowledge in this subject.     

Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Analysis of Condensed Phosphates by a Flow Detector Connected with a Gel Chromatographic Column

Abstract

An atomic absorption flow detector combined with a gel chromatographic column (Sephadex G-25) gives a sensitive and quantitative method of determining various condensed phosphates such as diphosphate, tri-phosphate, tetraphosphate and Kurrol's salt. This method is based on the automatic recording of atomic absorption at the resonance line of magnesium due to magnesium complexes of condensed phosphates which are produced during the elution of condensed phosphate anions through the column pre-equilibrated with a magnesium chloride solution.     

Data on the determination of calcium and phosphate in the presence of citric acid

The determination of calcium and phosphate is possible in the citrate extracts of the natural raw phosphates with complexometric-precipitate titration as usual, after oxidation of citric acid with sodium hypochlorite.The excess of sodium hypochlorite can be reduced by ammonia.     

The volumetric analysis of phosphates

A method has been developed for the volumetric determination of orthophosphate, and a simple variation permits the determination of the average number of phosphorus atoms per molecule in condensed phosphates. For total P₂O₅ the phosphates are converted to the diacid orthosalt and precipitated as silver phosphate. The liberated acid is then titrated. For determination of chain length the condensed phosphate is converted to the diacid form and treated similarly, then hydrolysed and determined as orthophosphate. The ratio of the two titrations is equal to the average number of phosphorus atoms per molecule.     

Formation of composite scaffolds based on chitosan and calcium phosphate

Composite materials based on chitosan and calcium phosphates with the structure and properties close to those of natural human tissues were developed. The possibility of formation of biological apatite, i.e., octacalcium phosphate, was demonstrated. The increase in the strength characteristics was caused by crystallization of the octacalcium phosphate phase on the surface of the material pore space. The materials resemble the extracellular matrix of the body in their structure and composition and can find wide use in the regenerative medicine as a scaffold for osteogenic factors.     

Thermoluminescence of bone equivalent calcium phosphate ceramics

TL-glow curves of calcium phosphate ceramic powders prepared either from natural or synthetic phosphates have been investigated. The TL-samples from synthetic phosphates, particularly those having Ca/P ratio=2.8, show higher TL-sensitivity, about 1/10 times that of LiF TLD-100 powders, with glow curves having maxima (peaks) around 110, 175 and 325 °C. The TL-response of all phosphate ceramic samples showed a dependence on -dose, well described by a power function in a range from about 1 to 10⁴ Gy, which is useful for therapeutic and radiation processing levels. For regeneration of irradiated TL-samples, annealing around 350 °C for 20 min was found suitable. A low Ca/P ratio can be recommended for high dose measurements, while higher ratio gives greater TL-sensitivity, hence allowing measurement of lower -doses.     

Oligosaccharide synthesis with glycosyl phosphate and dithiophosphate triesters as glycosylating agents

Described is an efficient one-pot synthesis of alpha- and beta-glycosyl phosphate and dithiophosphate triesters from glycals via 1,2-anhydrosugars. Glycosyl phosphates function as versatile glycosylating agents for the synthesis of beta-glucosidic, beta-galactosidic, alpha-fucosidic, alpha-mannosidic, beta-glucuronic acid, and beta-glucosamine linkages upon activation with trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf). In addition to serving as efficient donors for O-glycosylations, glycosyl phosphates are effective in the preparation of S-glycosides and C-glycosides. Furthermore, the acid-catalyzed coupling of glycosyl phosphates with silylated acceptors is also discussed. Glycosyl dithiophosphates are synthesized and are also used as glycosyl donors. This alternate method offers compatibility with acceptors containing glycals to form beta-glycosides. To minimize protecting group manipulations, orthogonal and regioselective glycosylation strategies with glycosyl phosphates are reported. An orthogonal glycosylation method involving the activation of a glycosyl phosphate donor in the presence of a thioglycoside acceptor is described, as is an acceptor-mediated regioselective glycosylation strategy. Additionally, a unique glycosylation strategy exploiting the difference in reactivity of alpha- and beta-glycosyl phosphates is disclosed. The procedures outlined here provide the basis for the assembly of complex oligosaccharides in solution and by automated solid-phase synthesis with glycosyl phosphate building blocks exclusively or in concert with other donors.     

Constant composition dissolution of mixed phases. II. Selective dissolution of calcium phosphates

Characterization of the dissolution kinetics of individual synthetic and biological calcium phosphates is of considerable importance since these phases often coexist in biological minerals. The constant composition method has been used to study the dissolution kinetics of a series of synthetic calcium phosphates, brushite (DCPD), beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP), octacalcium phosphate (OCP), hydroxyapatite (HAP), and carbonated apatite (CAP) in the presence and absence of citric acid, as a function of pH and thermodynamic driving force. While citric acid markedly accelerates the dissolution of TCP, HAP dissolution is significantly inhibited. Moreover, this additive has almost no influence on the dissolution of DCPD, OCP, and CAP. Dual constant composition dissolution studies of mixed calcium phosphates in the presence of citric acid have also been made. Another factor, pH, also plays an important role in the dissolution of these calcium phosphates. In suspensions of calcium phosphate mixtures, specific phases can be selectively dissolved by changing experimental parameters such as pH and the presence of rate modifiers. This result has important applications for the dissolution control of dental hard tissues such as dentin, enamel, and calculus.     

Influence of octadecyl dihydrogen phosphate on the formation of active super-fine calcium carbonate

A carbonation process for the synthesis of active super-fine calcium carbonate particles from Ca(OH)(2) slurry at room temperature using a CO(2)-N(2) gas mixture was investigated. Industrial octadecyl dihydrogen phosphate (A) was added as a size-controlling additive and modifier in different reaction periods according to the pH of the medium. Analysis of the reaction products led to the conclusion that the addition of A in the digestion period could inhibit the crystal growth of calcium carbonate, while the addition of A at pH 7 of the medium could modify the surface character of the calcium carbonate particle, which was found to exhibit hydrophobic properties. From transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the hydrophobic property was attributed to the deposition of calcium alkyl phosphates, produced in the reaction mixture, onto the surface of calcium carbonate particle. IR spectra and TGA analysis of the obtained products indicated that A was bound onto the crystalline CaCO(3).     

Double phosphate crystallization in phosphate liquids

The discussion concerns the interactions of oxides of metals in groups III–VIII not with individual molten phosphates but with mixtures of them, which provides a range in M₂O:P₂O₅ in the phosphate liquid from 0.5 to 2.0; this constitutes a new approach to these reactions, and it enables one to determine unambiguously the ranges in which double phosphates are formed and to define the conditions under which the individual crystals are produced from those liquids.Kiev University. Translated from Teoreticheskaya i Éksperimental'naya Khimiya, Vol. 27, No. 3, pp. 307–311, May–June, 1991. Original article submitted February 19, 1991.     

骨及生物材料中的纳米磷酸钙

纳米磷酸钙在自然界骨组织的形成过程中起到了关键作用。尽管骨的类型有所不同,但在其初级结构中的无机成分都是纳米磷酸钙。纳米磷酸钙结构能够给予骨良好的机械性能和生物学活性。在生物体中,无机纳米磷酸钙在有机基质的调控下能定向自组装成特定的生物矿物。体外细胞实验显示小尺寸纳米羟基磷灰石更能促进骨髓基质干细胞的增殖,而同尺寸的结晶型纳米磷酸钙则比无定形磷酸钙更能利于干细胞分化。鉴于纳米磷酸钙具有很好的生物相容性和骨诱导性,可以发展成为理想的生物材料常用于骨组织工程和生物医学。     

骨及生物材料中的纳米磷酸钙

纳米磷酸钙在自然界骨组织的形成过程中起到了关键作用。尽管骨的类型有所不同,但在其初级结构中的无机成分都是纳米磷酸钙。纳米磷酸钙结构能够给予骨良好的机械性能和生物学活性。在生物体中,无机纳米磷酸钙在有机基质的调控下能定向自组装成特定的生物矿物。体外细胞实验显示小尺寸纳米羟基磷灰石更能促进骨髓基质干细胞的增殖,而同尺寸的结晶型纳米磷酸钙则比无定形磷酸钙更能利于干细胞分化。鉴于纳米磷酸钙具有很好的生物相容性和骨诱导性,可以发展成为理想的生物材料常用于骨组织工程和生物医学。     

Templating route for mesostructured calcium phosphates with carboxylic acid- and amine-type surfactants

Mesostructured calcium phosphates constructed by ionic frameworks were synthesized using carboxylic acid- and amine-type surfactants in mixed solvent systems of ethanol and water. A lamellar mesostructured calcium phosphate was prepared using palmitic acid as an anionic surfactant, as in the case using n-alkylamines. A wormhole-like mesostructured calcium phosphate can be obtained using dicarboxyl N-lauroyl- l-glutamic acid, whose headgroup is larger than that of palmitic acid. Similar mesostructured product was obtained using 4-dodecyldiethylenetriamine with a large headgroup containing two primary amine groups. Interactions of carboxyl and primary amino groups in the surfactant molecules with inorganic species are quite important for the formation of mesostructured calcium phosphates. The Ca/P molar ratio of mesostructured calcium phosphates was strongly affected by the molecular structure of surfactants containing carboxyl and primary amino groups. Ca-rich materials can be obtained using carboxylic acid-type surfactants (Ca/P approximately 1.7) rather than amine-type surfactants (Ca/P approximately 1.0).     

Binding of phosphate with a simple hexaaza polyammonium macrocycle

A mixture of dihydrogen phosphate and phosphoric acid has been crystallized with a hexaprotonated 26-membered polyammonium macrocycle, 1,4,7,14,17,20-hexaazacyclohexacosane, as the counterion. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with unit cell parameters of a = 10.006(2) A, b = 12.525(1) A, c = 19.210(2) A, beta = 102.91(1) degrees, and V = 2346.6(5) A3. The hexaprotonated macrocycle is located on a crystallographic center of inversion and is surrounded by eight phosphate anions. Six of the phosphates are dihydrogen phosphates (H2PO4-), and the other two are neutral phosphoric acid molecules. Intricate hydrogen-bonding networks, involving the anionic and neutral phosphates and the protonated macrocycle, dominate the crystal lattice. Potentiometric studies using NaCl as the supporting electrolyte indicate high formation constants for the triprotonated macrocycle, H3L3+, with PO4(3-) at pH approximately 9.5 (log K = 4.55(4)), for the tetraprotonated macrocycle, H4L4+, with monohydrogen phosphate, HPO4(2-), at pH approximately 8.0 (log K = 6.01(3)), and for ditopic complexes with H5L5+ and H6L6+ and dihydrogen phosphate, H2PO4-, at pH approximately 4.0 (log K = 6.16(6)) and pH approximately 2.5 (log K = 6.44(5)), respectively. The ditopic behavior in the simple polyazamacrocycle receptor is a somewhat unusual occurrence, as is the finding of phosphoric acid species in the crystal structure.