biostudies-literatureAgbaje OBAVetenskapsrådetNorthwest UniversityNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaUppsala Universitet38456-38467https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9057340biostudies-literatureUnknown10(63)The shells of linguloid brachiopods such as <i>Lingula</i> and <i>Discinisca</i> are inorganic-organic nanocomposites with a mineral phase of calcium phosphate (Ca-phosphate). Collagen, the main extracellular matrix in Ca-phosphatic vertebrate skeletons, has not previously been clearly resolved at the molecular level in organophosphatic brachiopods. Here, modern and recently-alive linguliform brachiopod shells of <i>Lingula</i> and <i>Discinisca</i> have been studied by microRaman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. For the first time, biomineralized collagen matrix and Ca-phosphate components were simultaneously identified, showing that the collagen matrix is an important moiety in organoRSC advancesCharacterization of organophosphatic brachiopod shells: spectroscopic assessment of collagen matrix and biomineral components.PMC905734041890844417201040022018-03390Agbaje OBABrock GAHolmer LEZhang ZGeorge SCfalseCharacterization of organophosphatic brachiopod shells: spectroscopic assessment of collagen matrix and biomineral components.The shells of linguloid brachiopods such as <i>Lingula</i> and <i>Discinisca</i> are inorganic-organic nanocomposites with a mineral phase of calcium phosphate (Ca-phosphate). Collagen, the main extracellular matrix in Ca-phosphatic vertebrate skeletons, has not previously been clearly resolved at the molecular level in organophosphatic brachiopods. Here, modern and recently-alive linguliform brachiopod shells of <i>Lingula</i> and <i>Discinisca</i> have been studied by microRaman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission gun scanning electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis. For the first time, biomineralized collagen matrix and Ca-phosphate components were simultaneously identified, showing that the collagen matrix is an important moiety in organo2020-01-01T00:00:00Z2020 Oct2025-04-26T04:39:49.945Z2025-04-06T11:12:59.927ZS-EPMC90573403551753110.1039/d0ra07523j