Morphology dependent biological behavior of calcite materials

We have evaluated the morphology dependent biological behaviors of calcite particles in simulated body fluid conditions. Two kinds of calcite particles with different morphologies (cubic and spicule) were prepared utilizing different polyol solvents. According to X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, zeta potential measurement and dynamic light scattering study, two calcite samples had different morphology but other physicochemical parameters like particle size and surface chemistry of two samples were similar. The biological behaviors of two calcites were evaluated in simulated gastric and intestinal condition considering the oral administration of calcite as potential bio-medical applications. Calcium dissolution rate, change in zeta potential and interaction with proteins of differently shaped calcites in simulated biological conditions were evaluated. Spicule shaped calcites showed facilitated surface calcium ion dissolution compared with cubic shaped one in simulated gastric condition. The zeta potential measurement and protein fluorescence quenching assay results revealed that the spicule calcites interacted more actively with biological substances like electrolytes and proteins than cubic shaped one. Scanning electron microscopic images of calcites treated in simulated body fluid exhibited that the biological behaviors of calcites could be mainly determined by the dissolution and particle-biosubstance interaction at the surface of calcite particles.