[Apatite-collagen complex. Preparation of a new apatite-collagen complex]

A new apatite-collagen complex was prepared in calcium beta-glycerophosphate solutions at pH 8.50. For this preparation, reconstituted type I collagen was cross-linked with phosvitin in the presence of alkaline phosphatase by use of a cross-linking agent of dimethyl suberimidate. After two weeks of immersion in daily-renewed solution of calcium beta-glycerophosphate, the complex contained apatite approximately two times the modified collagen in weight. When viewed in a scanning electron microscope, needle-like crystals precipitated densely on the collagen fibrils. However, in some portion of the complex, dot-like precipitate was observed as well. X-ray diffraction and IR analyses of the complex suggested that the apatite precipitated on the collagen fibrils was very similar to bone mineral in two aspects, crystallinity and carbonate content.