Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Analysis of Minerals Produced by hFOB 1.19 and Saos-2 Cells Using Transmission Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray Microanalysis
Published on: June 24, 2018
Weakly and strongly associated nonfreezable water bound in bones
V V Turov1, V M Gun'ko, V I Zarko
1Institute of Surface Chemistry, 17 General Naumov Street, 03164 Kiev, Ukraine.
Investigating bone water using 1H NMR spectroscopy and TSDC revealed two distinct water types: typical and unusual. Unusual water, interacting with hydrophobic bone environments, increases with overall bone water content.
Area of Science:
- Biophysics
- Materials Science
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Bone tissue contains water crucial for its mechanical properties.
- Understanding the state and behavior of bone water is essential for bone health research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the different types of water present in bone tissue.
- To investigate the relationship between water content and its interaction within the bone matrix.
Main Methods:
- 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at 210-300 K.
- Thermally Stimulated Depolarization Current (TSDC) method at 190-265 K.
- Quantum chemical calculations (GIAO, B3LYP/6-31G(d,p)) and solvent effect analysis (HF/SM5.45/6-31G(d)).
Main Results:
- Two distinct proton resonance signals were observed in 1H NMR spectra of bone water: typical water (δH=4-5 ppm) and unusual water (δH=1.2-1.7 ppm).
- Unusual water is attributed to molecules not forming hydrogen bonds via their hydrogen atoms, potentially interacting with hydrophobic bone environments.
- Increased overall bone water content correlates with a higher proportion of typical water, which exhibits greater hydrogen bonding and occupies larger bone spaces.
Conclusions:
- Bone water exists in at least two distinct states, with implications for bone's structural integrity.
- The characterization of unusual water provides insights into water-bone matrix interactions.
- Water's role in bone biomechanics is influenced by its binding state and distribution within bone's porous structure.
Related Concept Videos
Body Water Content and Fluid Compartments
The Bone Matrix
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Skeleton and Calcium Homeostasis
Bone as Supporting Connective Tissue
Bone Matrix
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a connective tissue that has a large amount of two different types of matrix material. The organic matrix is similar to the matrix material found in other connective tissues, including some amount of collagen and elastic fibers. This gives strength and flexibility to the tissue. The inorganic matrix consists of mineral salts— mostly calcium salts— that give the...
Compact Bone
Compact bone, also called cortical bone, is the denser, stronger of the two types of bone tissue. It is found under the periosteum and in the diaphyses of long bones, where it provides support and protection. The microscopic structural unit of compact bone is called an osteon, or haversian system. Each osteon is composed of concentric rings of calcified...

