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09:31
Calcium Carbonate Formation in the Presence of Biopolymeric Additives
Published on: May 14, 2019
Lysozyme mediated calcium carbonate mineralization.
Xiaoqiang Wang1, Hailing Sun, Yongqing Xia
1Centre for Bioengineering and Biotechnology, China University of Petroleum (East China), 66 Changjiang West Road, Qingdao Economic Development Zone, Qingdao 266555, PR China.
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science
|January 27, 2009
Summary
Lysozyme influences calcium carbonate precipitation, favoring calcite formation and modifying crystal faces. This suggests a key role for lysozyme in avian eggshell development.
Area of Science:
- Biomineralization
- Crystallization
- Avian Eggshell Formation
Background:
- Lysozyme, a key egg white protein, is implicated in avian eggshell calcification.
- The precise role of lysozyme in eggshell formation remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of lysozyme on calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation.
- To elucidate the concentration-dependent and face-selective effects of lysozyme on CaCO3 crystal formation.
Main Methods:
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Controlled precipitation experiments using vapor diffusion.
Main Results:
- In the absence of lysozyme, vaterite crystals predominated.
- Lysozyme addition favored calcite precipitation, with effects proportional to lysozyme concentration.
- Lysozyme altered calcite crystal morphology, exposing specific crystal faces like (110) and (104).
Conclusions:
- Lysozyme plays a concentration-dependent and face-selective role in CaCO3 precipitation.
- Selective adsorption of lysozyme onto crystal faces influences CaCO3 polymorph and morphology.
- Findings support lysozyme's direct contribution to the hierarchical structure of calcite in early eggshell formation.
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