HPO2-4 content in enamel and artificial carious lesions

The HPO2-4 and CO2-3 content was determined in sound enamel and in material collected from artificially produced carious lesions. The method described shows that the HPO2-4 content can be determined from the 875 cm(-1) infrared absorption band if correction for the CO2-3 contribution are made. The I.R. spectra show that the HPO2-4 content in sound human or bovine enamel is about 5% by weight. In artificially produced carious lesions (pH=4.0), the HPO2-4 content is in the order of 15 wt%. Most likely, the HPO2-4 ions in sound and carious enamel have a different enviroment.