Method of nanosized calcium salt ( calcite ) preparation based on the characterization of natural spar (calcite), fluorspar, feldspar / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

@#Calcium salt composite/calcite or spar is one of traditionally used therapeutic material for hard tissue repair and regeneration due to its abundant calcium content. There are several types of calcite (fluorspar or calcite fluoride, cobaltoan calcite, etc) exist in the nature and their therapeutic effects are different depending on their basic properties. For instance, calcium carbonate based calcite used to treat damaged hard tissue in the traditional medicine. Here, we would like to investigate characterizations of three different types of calcites gathered from the nature. For this purpose, collected calcium salt composites ( calcite, fluorspar, feldspar ) were examined their surface properties, morphology and size by the scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to determine their elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction was carried out to characterize their crystallinity structure. Based on the calcium contents, calcium carbonate-based calcite was selected to form nano-sized calcite and study their toxicity by using mesenchymal stem cell. Throughout this study, we identified properties of three different calcites and successfully reduced size in nanoscale which helps to use in the future treatment of osteoporosis or to stimulate osteogenesis.

Efecto del Tween ® 80 sobre la bioprecipitación de carbonato de calcio por Bacillus cereus / Effect of Tween ® 80 on calcium carbonate bioprecipitation mediated by Bacillus cereus

Resumen Se llevaron a cabo procesos de biosíntesis de carbonato de calcio, empleando una cepa de Bacillus cereus, aislada de los jardines de la Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellín, Colombia). Se evaluó el efecto disgregante del Tween® 80 a tres concentraciones: 0.00% p/v, 0.25% p/v y 0.50% p/v. Los experimentos se monitorizaron por 6 días con mediciones de pH y análisis mineralógicos a los precipitados finales por microscopía electrónica de barrido, difracción de rayos X y espectroscopia de infrarrojo con transformada de Fourier. El Tween® 80 tuvo un papel importante como desaglomerante de las estructuras de carbonato formadas por los microorganismos. Aunque los ensayos con el surfactante presentaron menor formación de precipitado, las concentraciones evaluadas no inhibieron el crecimiento bacteriano. Adicionalmente, este compuesto favoreció la formación de vaterita incrementando su proporción en comparación con la calcita (alrededor del 98%, utilizando Tween® 80 al 0.50% p/v).

Abstract This research presents the sprinkling effect of Tween® 80 for three concentrations (0.00% w, 0.25% w y 0.50% w) in a processes of calcium carbonate biosynthesis. The assays used a culture of Bacillus cereus, isolated from the gardens of the Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (Medellin, Colombia). The experiments were monitored for 6 days measuring pH as well as through mineralogical analyses for precipitates using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Tween® 80 had an important role as deagglomerate, decreasing the precipitation of biomineralized-carbonate structures (generated by bacteria). It was also found that the evaluated concentrations did not inhibit the bacterial growth. Additionally, Tween® 80 favored the production of vaterite, increasing its ratio in comparison to calcite (around 98% by using 0.50% w of Tween® 80).

Biomineralization of a calcifying ureolytic bacterium Microbacterium sp. GM-1

Background: Biomineralization is a significant process performed by living organisms in which minerals are produced through the hardening of biological tissues. Herein, we focus on calcium carbonate precipitation, as part of biomineralization, to be used in applications for environmental protection, material technology, and other fields. A strain GM-1, Microbacterium sp. GM-1, isolated from active sludge, was investigated for its ability to produce urease and induce calcium carbonate precipitation in a metabolic process. Results: It was discovered that Microbacterium sp. GM-1 resisted high concentrations of urea up to 60 g/L. In order to optimize the calcification process of Microbacterium sp. GM-1, the concentrations of Ni2+ and urea, pH value, and culture time were analyzed through orthogonal tests. The favored calcite precipitation culture conditions were as follows: the concentration of Ni2+ and urea were 50 µM and 60 g/L, respectively, pH of 10, and culture time of 96 h. Using X-ray diffraction analysis, the calcium carbonate polymorphs produced by Microbacterium sp. GM-1 were proven to be mainly calcite. Conclusions: The results of this research provide evidence that Microbacterium sp. GM-1 can biologically induce calcification and suggest that strain GM-1 may play a potential role in the synthesis of new biominerals and in bioremediation or biorecovery.

Ureolytic bacteria isolated from Sarawak limestone caves show high urease enzyme activity comparable to that of Sporosarcina pasteurii (DSM 33)

Aims: Microbial induced calcite precipitation (MICP) is a natural occurring biological process that employs the usage of ureolytic bacteria for a wide range of applications such as improving the mechanical properties of soils. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify local urease-producing bacteria from the limestone caves of Sarawak and characterise their specific urease activities. Methodology and results: Enrichment culture technique was used to isolate urease-producing bacteria. These local isolates were identified using phenotypic and molecular characterisation. Conductivity method and biomass (OD600) measurements were conducted to analyze and determine the specific urease activities of the local isolates. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis identified the bacterial isolates as Sporosarcina pasteurii, Sporosarcina luteola and Bacillus lentus. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This is the first study reporting the isolation and identification of urease-producing bacteria from Fairy and Wind Caves situated in Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia. The findings in this study suggest the bacterial isolates are capable of inducing calcite precipitation and serve as alternative microbial ureolytic agents.

Biomineralization processes of calcite induced by bacteria isolated from marine sediments

Biomineralization is a known natural phenomenon associated with a wide range of bacterial species. Bacterial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation by marine isolates was investigated in this study. Three genera of ureolytic bacteria, Sporosarcina sp., Bacillus sp. and Brevundimonas sp. were observed to precipitate calcium carbonate minerals. Of these species, Sporosarcina sp. dominated the cultured isolates. B. lentus CP28 generated higher urease activity and facilitated more efficient precipitation of calcium carbonate at 3.24 ± 0.25 × 10−4 mg/cell. X-ray diffraction indicated that the dominant calcium carbonate phase was calcite. Scanning electron microscopy showed that morphologies of the minerals were dominated by cubic, rhombic and polygonal plate-like crystals. The dynamic process of microbial calcium carbonate precipitation revealed that B. lentus CP28 precipitated calcite crystals through the enzymatic hydrolysis of urea, and that when ammonium ion concentrations reached 746 mM and the pH reached 9.6, that favored calcite precipitation at a higher level of 96 mg/L. The results of this research provide evidence that a variety of marine bacteria can induce calcium carbonate precipitation, and may influence the marine carbonate cycle in natural environments.

Nuclear anomalies in the buccal cells of calcite factory workers

The micronucleus (MN) assay on exfoliated buccal cells is a useful and minimally invasive method for monitoring genetic damage in humans. To determine the genotoxic effects of calcite dust that forms during processing, MN assay was carried out in exfoliated buccal cells of 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) calcite factory workers and 50 (25 smokers and 25 non-smokers) age- and sex-matched control subjects. Frequencies of nuclear abnormalities (NA) other than micronuclei, such as binucleates, karyorrhexis, karyolysis and 'broken eggs', were also evaluated. Micronuclei and the other aforementioned anomalies were analysed by two way analysis of covariance. The linear correlations between the types of micronucleus and nuclear abnormalities were determined by Spearman's Rho. There was a positive correlation between micronuclei and other types of nuclear abnormalities in accordance with the Spearman's Rho test. Results showed statistically significant difference between calcite fabric workers and control groups. MN and NA frequencies in calcite fabric workers were significantly higher than those in control groups (p < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that calcite fabric workers are under risk of significant cytogenetic damage.

Problemas de cálcio na água de abastecimento de Nova Olinda - CE / Problems of calcium in the water supply to Nova Olinda - CE

A cidade de Nova Olinda, sul do Estado do Ceará, é abastecida através de quatro poços tubulares profundos que captam num aqüífero confinado, composto, basicamente, por arenito. Na área também afloram calcita e gipsita, que são explotadas por mineradoras instaladas dentro da bacia hidrográfica, onde estão três dos quatro poços. Desde 2006, as tubulações de abastecimento de água estão sendo obstruídas por um precipitado folhear, causando prejuízos. Neste trabalho foi feita uma investigação, usando análises químicas, físico-químicas e de raios X e o índice de saturação de calcita (ISC), para estudar as possíveis causas dos precipitados, identificados, basicamente como calcita. As concentrações de cálcio e os ISCs indicaram que o tratamento da água aplicado na desinfecção aumenta a tendência da precipitação de calcita devido o cálcio contido nos produtos químicos usados.

The township of Nova Olinda, south of Ceará, is supplied with waters from four deep wells exploiting a confined sandstone aquifer. Calcite and gypsum rock outcrop and are being exploited commercially in the watershed where three of the wells are located. Since 2006, public supply pipelines are damaged due to a sheet-like precipitation causing frequent obstruction of the pipes. In this investigation we used chemical analyses, physical chemistry, X-ray analyses and determination of the calcite saturation index - CSI for studying possible causes for the deposits identified, basically, as calcite. Calcium concentrations and CSIs indicate that the water disinfection process adopted increases the tendency of calcite precipitation due to calcium contained in the chemicals used.