Publication details
Experimental research on the chemical composition of hydroxyapatite in bones
| Authors | |
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | In the mineral structure of OHAp numerous substitutions may occur which cause changes in physical processes in OHAp. Bioapatite in fossil teeth and bone tissue can be highly affected by the character of natural environment, especially by the mineralogy, geochemistry, and hydrology of the rock background. Dissected samples of turtle humerus (Testudo graeca) were used for experiment. Several samples of bone tissue remained with collagen, while the other were deproteinated. Numerous simulation experiments were realised (fresh samples vs. deproteinated samples immersed in solutions of Ba, Sr and Zn) to determine the ability of selected elements to incorporate in the bone tissue and/or the structure of bioapatite. The samples were analysed by the method of electron microprobe and X-ray diffraction. The crystallinity of deproteinated bone is slightly higher due to the lower content of organic components (e.g. collagen). It was proved that bioapatite occurring in fresh bone tissue is not stable; it is able to incorporate selected elements to its structure as a result of substitution exchanges. The ability of incorporation of various elements is different in particular parts of bone tissue. It is apparent that Sr was preferentially incorporated in the structure of bioapatite followed by Ba; Zn was incorporated minimally. Also in case of deproteinated samples was proven the instability of bioapatite in bone tissue. But in contrast of fresh saturated samples, in deproteinated samples the elements incorporated differently; surprisingly Zn was the most easily incorporated element, farther followed by Sr and Ba. The formula of saturated samples with and without collagen was calculated and it was shown which elements occurs in bioapatite of bone of Testudo graeca. Results of the experimental study indicate that the bone bioapatite has rather unstable chemical composition which can be altered during the process of fossilization. |
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