Citrate Stabilizes Hydroxylapatite Precursors: Implications for Bone Mineralization
Encarnación Ruíz-Agudo, Cristina Ruiz‐Agudo, Fulvio Di Lorenzo, Pedro Álvarez‐Lloret, Aurelia Ibáñez-Velasco, Carlos Rodríguez‐Navarro
Abstract
axis orientation and with interspersed ACP. The nanoplatelet morphology, size, and preferred crystallographic orientation, remarkably similar to those of bone HAp nanocrystals, appear to be an intrinsic feature of HAp formed from an amorphous precursor. Our results challenge current models for HAp mineralization in bone and the role of citrate, offering new clues to help answer the long-standing question as to why natural evolution favored HAp as the mineral phase in bone.
Topics & Concepts
HydroxylapatiteMineralization (soil science)Amorphous calcium phosphateBiomineralizationCrystallizationAmorphous solidChemical engineeringBiophysicsPhosphateCalciumApatiteTitrationNucleationChemistryMaterials scienceCrystallographyMineralogyInorganic chemistryBiochemistryOrganic chemistryEnzymeEngineeringBiologyNitrogenCalcium Carbonate Crystallization and InhibitionBone Tissue Engineering MaterialsBone health and osteoporosis research