Mineralization of CaCO3 in the presence of egg white lysozyme.
The influence of egg white lysozyme on the size, shape, crystallography, and chemical composition of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) particles obtained from aqueous CaCl2-dimethyl carbonate (DMC)-NaOH solutions was studied. At the onset of precipitation, the presence of lysozyme led to much smaller particles (50-400 nm spherical amorphous lysozyme-calcium carbonate particles (Ly-ACC)) than those obtained from lysozyme-free solution. The nanospheres were in some cases aggregated and in addition embedded in a faint network. Their size and interconnection depended on the concentration of egg white lysozyme. When the Ly-ACC particles were left in contact with the mother liquor (CaCl2/DMC/NaOH/lysozyme solution) for 24 h, they transformed directly and exclusively into crystalline calcite. The observed results may be of relevance for a better understanding of the role of lysozyme in the process of eggshell mineralization.
Voinescu
Alina E
AE
Institute of Physical and Theoretical Chemistry and Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, University of Regensburg, Germany.
Touraud
Didier
D
Lecker
Alois
A
Pfitzner
Arno
A
Kunz
Werner
W
Ninham
Barry W
BW
D000818:Animals; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry; D011232:Chemical Precipitation; D002645:Chickens; D003460:Crystallization; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000737:chemistry*; D004529:Egg White / Q000737:chemistry*; D005561:Formates / Q000737:chemistry; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008903:Minerals / Q000737:chemistry*; D009113:Muramidase / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
D005561:Formates; D008903:Minerals; D012996:Solutions; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide; D009113:Muramidase; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; C023025:methyl carbonate; D002122:Calcium Chloride