Calcium Carbonate Crystal Shapes Mediated by Intramineral Proteins from Eggshells of Ratite Birds and Crocodiles. Implications to the Eggshell’s Formation of a Dinosaur of 70 Million Years Old

Legorreta-Flores, Angélica; Davila-Tejeda, Alejandra; Velásquez-González, Omar; Ortega, Eduardo; Ponce, Arturo; Castillo‐Michel, Hiram; Reyes‐Grajeda, Juan Pablo; Hernández-Rivera, René; Cuéllar‐Cruz, Mayra; Moreno, Abel

doi:10.1021/acs.cgd.8b01020

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 37 publications

(73 reference statements)

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“…This could be an indication of the plausible presence of the proteins or of the remaining peptides that were isolated by the mineral phase. 50 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Taking into account these results, a methodology to obtain information about the intramineral proteins, present in the dinosaur eggshells, could be developed since a study of the eggshell of a dinosaur carried out by μ-XANES determines the presence of a cluster formed by the S–S/S–H groups of l -cysteine. This could be an indication of the plausible presence of the proteins or of the remaining peptides that were isolated by the mineral phase …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Searching for a Clue to Characterize a Crystalline Dinosaur’s Eggshell of Baja California, Mexico

et al. 2020

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This work presents a detailed structural and morphological analysis of different dinosaur eggshells such as Spheroolithus (sample 1, 2), lambeosaurinae, Prismatoolithus , and one unidentified ootaxon performed by high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). These ancient eggshells of Late Cretaceous dinosaurs were collected in the coastal area of El Rosario, Baja California in Mexico. Additionally, a thorough study was performed on the elements present in the samples by different techniques such as energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS technique was performed to make an accurate identification of the compounds of two different types of eggshells ( Spheroolithus sample 1 and Prismatoolithus ). This contribution compares the surface of five different dinosaur eggshells of 74 Ma and their inner section to determine the morphology, distribution of the chemical elements present, as well as their relationship. The observed morphology of the ornithopod eggshells of the herbivorous species shows that the mammillary cones are in the form of columns with microaggregates and irregular pores. In contrast, in the theropod eggshells, the mammillary cones are observed in different forms with wider pores. Finally, the chemical components present in the structures of each of the samples were estimated using the information obtained from SEM-EDS, evidencing the presence of calcite, quartz, and albite in each of the samples. The composition reveals that eggshells contain Si, P, S, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, and Sr and trace elements such as Cr, Cu, and Zn. The presence of heavy metals may be an indication that the eggshells presented diagenetic alterations.

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“…This could be an indication of the plausible presence of the proteins or of the remaining peptides that were isolated by the mineral phase. 50 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Searching for a Clue to Characterize a Crystalline Dinosaur’s Eggshell of Baja California, Mexico

et al. 2020

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“…In the case of reptiles, the proteins isolated from the eggshells of crocodile acutus had a molecular weight of 14,139 and 7040 Da (Figure S4A,B). In a sense and following the designation of Legorreta et al [30], these proteins have been named crococalcins. However, the proteins isolated from crocodile acutus will be referred to as CCA-7 and CCA-14, for the 7 and 14 kDa proteins, in order to avoid confusion of the assigned acronyms.…”

Section: Extraction and Characterization Of The Intramineral Proteinsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Influence of Intramineral Proteins on the Growth of Carbonate Crystals Using as a Scaffold Membranes of Ratite Birds and Crocodiles Eggshells

Elejalde-Cadena,

Hernández,

Capitelli

et al. 2023

Membranes

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The lack of information on structural basis where proteins are involved, as well as the biomineralization processes of different systems such as bones, diatom frustules, and eggshells, have intrigued scientists from different fields for decades. This scientific curiosity has led to the use of methodologies that help understand the mechanism involved in the formation of these complex structures. Therefore, this work focuses on the use of eggshell membranes from different species of ratites (emu and ostrich) and reptiles (two species of crocodiles) as a model to differentiate biocalcification and biosilicification by introducing calcium phosphate or silica inside the membrane fiber mantles. We performed this to obtain information about the process of eggshell formation as well as the changes that occur in the membrane during crystal formation. In order to identify and understand the early processes leading to the formation of the microstructures present in the eggshell, we decided to carry out the synthesis of silica-carbonate of calcium, barium, and strontium called biomorph in the presence of intramineral proteins. This was carried out to evaluate the influence of these proteins on the formation of specific structures. We found that the proteins on untreated membranes, present a structural growth similar to those observed in the inner part of the eggshell, while in treated membranes, the structures formed present a high similarity with those observed in the outer and intermediate part of the eggshell. Finally, a topographic and molecular analysis of the biomorphs and membranes was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman and Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopies.

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“…. Generated by a rapid biomineralization process, the eggshell is composed of organic matrix and has a highly‐ordered calcareous bioceramic structure. As a composite biomaterial, eggshell not only protects the embryo inside but also provides passageways for substance exchange .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mineralization of Calcium Carbonate Induced by Egg Substrate and an Electric Field

Chen

Jiang

et al. 2019

Chem Eng & Technol

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Egg substrates, including eggshell, egg membranes, and egg white, exert a significant influence on CaCO 3 biomineralization. CaCO 3 crystallization at different temperatures, concentrations, and with various egg substrates was systematically investigated via rapidly mixing solution method. The crystals were determined by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. As the CaCl 2 concentration increased, the CaCO 3 crystal form gradually changed from calcite to vaterite. Under rising temperature, the single-hole vaterite and besom-like aragonite were formed on the raw and boiled egg white substrate, respectively. The effects of electric field on CaCO 3 crystallization were also explored. The findings may offer a novel approach to CaCO 3 synthesis.

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Calcium Carbonate Crystal Shapes Mediated by Intramineral Proteins from Eggshells of Ratite Birds and Crocodiles. Implications to the Eggshell’s Formation of a Dinosaur of 70 Million Years Old

Cited by 5 publications

References 37 publications

Searching for a Clue to Characterize a Crystalline Dinosaur’s Eggshell of Baja California, Mexico

Searching for a Clue to Characterize a Crystalline Dinosaur’s Eggshell of Baja California, Mexico

Influence of Intramineral Proteins on the Growth of Carbonate Crystals Using as a Scaffold Membranes of Ratite Birds and Crocodiles Eggshells

Mineralization of Calcium Carbonate Induced by Egg Substrate and an Electric Field

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