Acidic Monosaccharides become Incorporated into Calcite Single Crystals*

Area of Science:

• Biomineralization
• Materials Science
• Carbohydrate Chemistry

Background:

• Carbohydrates are key biomacromolecules in calcium carbonate biomineralization.
• The precise role of saccharide macromolecules in mineral deposition remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the impact of acidic monosaccharides (MSs) on calcite crystal formation.
• Determine how glucuronic and galacturonic acids influence calcite's size, morphology, and microstructure.

Main Methods:

• In vitro crystal growth experiments with calcite in the presence of MSs.
• High-resolution synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction to analyze lattice structure.

Main Results:

• MSs altered the size, morphology, and microstructure of calcite crystals.
• Incorporation of MSs into the calcite lattice induced anisotropic lattice distortions.
• This lattice distortion phenomenon was previously unreported for single MSs.

Conclusions:

• Acidic monosaccharides interact with inorganic hosts, influencing crystal lattice structure.
• Findings enhance understanding of carbohydrate roles in biomineralization processes.