Calcium Carbonate Crystallization in the Presence of Casein

Abstract

Phosphoproteins have specific and prominent influences on mediating the crystallization of calcium carbonate. In this research, a new kind of calcium carbonate crystal with a novel self-organized spiky dumbbell-like superstructure was synthesized in the presence of one typical phosphoprotein-casein. A complex self-assembly process for the formation of the hierarchical superstructures in the presence of casein has been proposed. The effects of the concentration of calcium ion, the reaction time, and temperature are investigated. The results indicate that phosphate groups of casein play important roles in directing growth and self-assembly of hierarchical superstructures. Our studies may contribute to the understanding of the specific role of phosphoprotein in the biomineralization process. We also believe that our studies will provide new insights into controlling the structure and morphology of minerals under easily attainable reaction conditions in the presence of phosphoprotein.

Highly Selective Room‐Temperature Catalyst‐Free Reduction of Alkaline Carbonates to Methane by Metal Hydrides

“…On the basis of previous investigations, we think that the replacement of gaseous CO 2 and H 2 with solid alkaline carbonates and MHs to achieve CO 2 methanation and the synthesis of CO x ‐free hydrogen/methane fuel mixtures have many inherent advantages. First, alkaline carbonates, especially for CaCO 3 , are abundant, inexpensive, safe, and easy to handle . Second, metal carbonate–MH systems are better suited for fuel storage and in situ fuel preparation as they are easy to store and transport and have a high volumetric energy density.…”

“…First, alkaline carbonates, especially for CaCO 3 , are abundant, inexpensive, safe, and easy to handle. [21][22][23][24]29,30] Second, metal carbonate-MH systems are better suited for fuel storage and in situ fuel preparation as they are easy to store and transport and have a high volumetric energy density. Third, the reduction of inorganic carbonates with MHs can be considered as an indirect CO 2 utilization approach as well as a means of storing or synthesizing fuels.…”

High-resolution structural and elemental analyses of calcium storage structures synthesized by the noble crayfish Astacus astacus

“…It should be also noted that in vitro calcium carbonate precipitation experiments performed recently in presence of casein has led to the conclusion that casein, through its phosphate groups, can play important roles "as an effective stabilization agent for ACC" (Liu et al, 2012a) and "in directing growth and self-assembly of spherical ACC particles into ACC superstructures" (Liu et al, 2012b). The presence of such a pigment within a structure that is synthesized in a close compartment within the organism seems very strange.…”

Synthesis of Plasmin‐Loaded Fe3O4@CaCO3 Nanoparticles: Towards Next‐Generation Thrombolytic Drugs

“…Since it has such promising properties, including high biocompatibility, several research groups have studied VNPs‐based micro/nanocomposites with inorganic NPs, LMW compounds, proteins, polyelectrolytes and nucleic acids as a drug delivery system . There are several ways to load the molecules into the VNPs, and the recrystallization rate highly depends on the loading methodology used.…”