biostudies-literatureUnknown8(20)Liu NThe origin of complex hierarchical superstructures of biomaterials and their unique self-assembly mechanisms of formation are important in biological systems and have attracted considerable attention. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of calcium oxalate (CaO _<i>x</i> ) crystals induced by additives including chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate, Mg²⁺, casein and combinations of these molecules. The morphology and structure of CaO _<i>x</i> were identified with the use of various techniques. The morphogenesis of CaO _<i>x</i> crystals were significantly affected by chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate or Mg²⁺. However, they only formed calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). It was observed that the chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate and casein adhered to the surface of the crystals. The adherence of Mg²⁺ to crystals was not evident. Casein significantly affected the formation of COM and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). The ratio of different CaO _<i>x</i> crystal forms is associated with the casein concentration. In combination with Mg²⁺ or citrate ions, casein showed improved formation of COD. The present study mimics biomineralization with a simple chemical approach and provides insight into the complicated system of CaO _<i>x</i> biomineralization as well as facilitates the understanding of urinary stone treatment.RSC advances11014-11020https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9078945biostudies-literatureShape and structure controlling of calcium oxalate crystals by a combination of additives in the process of biomineralization.PMC9078945Liu ZPing HGuo JXie HTao FLiu NWang LSu BLfalseShape and structure controlling of calcium oxalate crystals by a combination of additives in the process of biomineralization.The origin of complex hierarchical superstructures of biomaterials and their unique self-assembly mechanisms of formation are important in biological systems and have attracted considerable attention. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes of calcium oxalate (CaO _<i>x</i> ) crystals induced by additives including chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate, Mg²⁺, casein and combinations of these molecules. The morphology and structure of CaO _<i>x</i> were identified with the use of various techniques. The morphogenesis of CaO _<i>x</i> crystals were significantly affected by chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate or Mg²⁺. However, they only formed calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM). It was observed that the chiral aspartic acid, sodium citrate and casein adhered to the surface of the crystals. The adherence of Mg²⁺ to crystals was not evident. Casein significantly affected the formation of COM and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD). The ratio of different CaO _<i>x</i> crystal forms is associated with the casein concentration. In combination with Mg²⁺ or citrate ions, casein showed improved formation of COD. The present study mimics biomineralization with a simple chemical approach and provides insight into the complicated system of CaO _<i>x</i> biomineralization as well as facilitates the understanding of urinary stone treatment.2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Mar2025-04-29T10:58:59.1Z2024-10-15T07:28:38.161ZS-EPMC90789453554154310.1039/c8ra00661j