Journal of Minerals & Materials Characterization & Engineering, Vol. 8, No. 8, pp 659-666, 2009
jmmce.org Printed in the USA. All rights reserved
659
Defense Mechanism of Renal Functions and Calcium Mixed Mineral
Formation in Agar-Agar Gel Medium at Laboratory Environment
J. Kishore Kumar, P. Sundaramoorthi
Department of Physics, Thiruvalluvar Govt. Arts College, Rasipuram, Namakkal,
India-637401.
(Ph.No.-04287 231802 (off.) Fax- 04287 231882, Cell-9486902430)
Mail ID- moorthi.s, ).
ABSTRACT
Calcium phosphates and oxalates are the most frequently observed bio-mineral phases. Many
kinetics studies have been carried out on their crystal formation and dissolution in
supersaturated and under saturated solutions, respectively. Major parameters include
supernatant solution concentration, ionic strength, pH, temperature and solid surface behaviors.
The growth of the calcium phosphate phases such as di-calcium phosphate di-hydrate (DCPD),
octa-calcium phosphate (OCP), hydroxyapatite (HAP), and fluorapatite (FAP) crystals are
observed. The ability of a surface to nucleate mineral phases is closely related to the magnitude
of the interfacial energies. CaSeHPO4 crystals are grown in laboratory growth environments by
the author in agar gel medium. Many characterization studies are done using grown crystals,
such as FTIR, TGA/DTA, etching, SEM and XRD of the grown crystals are carried out and the
results are reported.
Key Words: Bio-physical Chemistry, Renal stone, Single Diffusion, Diffusion reaction, Mixing,
Growth kinetics
1. INTRODUCTION
Major functions of the human kidney are to remove solute and waste material from the body. In
the process, the concentrations of calcium (Ca), extra minerals and its anionic ligands phosphates
(PO) and oxalates (Oxa) etc., are naturally induced or increased to the level of super saturations

660 J. Kishore Kumar, P. Sundaramoorthi Vol.8, No.8
and create the risk factor of crystal deposition or formation. Then extra adherence of intra tubular
calcium with mineral phosphate (CaMinP) and/or calcium with mineral oxalates (CaMinOx)
crystals to undifferentiated cum regenerating tubular epithelial cells defines intra tubular nephro
mineral calcinosis [1–3]. These mineral crystals-bearing epithelia might compromise proper
tubular function as undifferentiated cells unable exert the multiple functional processes of
growth, fully polarized epithelial cells. In addition, intra tubular-adhered crystals can engender
inflammation and may hinder tubular fluid flow dynamics [4]. However; the kidney has
developed own by many defense mechanisms acting at different levels. At the physiological
level, a high concentration of calcium with minerals in itself is able to reduce antidiuretic
hormone-stimulated water permeability of the collecting ducts through the calcium with mineral
sensing receptor, leading to an increased urinary volume and a reduced risk of supersaturation
[5-6]. At the physicochemical observation levels, the urinary tracts supersaturation capability can
be induced and increased crystal formation or deposition, growth, and aggregation naturally can
be delayed or prevented by nano-micro and macromolecular urinary constituents such as citrate,
magnesium, and proteins etc. [7–10]. At the base levels of crystal–cell interactions, normally
differentiated tubular epithelia have no affinity for crystals and crystal retentions can be
prevented by coating crystals with urinary micro and macromolecules [1-2, 7, 11-12]. The
combined actions of all these mechanisms make the kidney intrinsically prevent to intra tubular
nephro-mineral calcinosis. It is obvious from human pathology and experimental studies that
extensive nephro mineral calcinosis, as observed in acute mineral phosphate nephropathy and
primary hyper mineral oxaluria, which leads to renal damage and functional deterioration [13].
The effect of less-extensive intra tubular crystal adhesion on renal function and tubular
morphology is less understanding. Kidneys in which crystal adhesion exceeds a certain minimum
threshold should deteriorate, where as below this minimum threshold the kidney may
(continuously) clear the adhered crystal deposits and secure renal functions.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
CaSeHP crystals are grown in laboratory growth environment. The dissociation of phosphoric
acid with gel system can be represented by three-dissociation equilibrium and the presence of
various ions at various pH values are reported [6]. Based on these results, the gel pH in the range
from 6 to 10 has been used (Milwaukee QS-MN pH-600, packet digital pH-meter are used for
measurements) in which the HPO42- ions dominates or alone exists. This decreases the possibility
of SeHP crystals occurring during the growth of CaSeHP. The crystallization apparatus
employed are glass thick walled 30 mm diameter and 180 mm long glass. The chemicals used
are Excelar-Qualigens (E-Q) AR grade ZnSe, CaCl2 and phosphoric acid (Sp.gr.1.75). The agar
gels are prepared as per the literature [7]. One of the reactant phosphoric acid is mixed with agar
gel at desired gel density and elevated temperatures. After the gel set, the supernatant
(ZnSe+CaCl2) at a required mole solution is slowly added along the walls of the growth columns
over the set gel and the tubes are tightly closed to prevent evaporation during the growth period.

Vol.8, No.8 Defense Mechanism of Renal Functions 661
The growth systems are allowed to react within the gel medium and the following chemical
reaction takes place.
ZnSe+CaCl2 + [H3PO4+ agar gel]ÆCaSeHPO4 + By products ----- (1)
Se2-+Ca2++HPO42-ÆCaSeHPO4-------- (2)
3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The CaSeHPO4 crystals are grown in laboratory growth face by applying various growth
parameters. The growth of CaSeHPO4 crystals in SDP laboratory environment is shown in Fig.1.
The growth parameters of CaSeHPO4 crystals in single diffusion process (SDP) are tabulated in
Table-1 and the bold letters indicates the optimum growth parameters and the growth period is
ten months.
3.1 FTIR Spectral Analysis of CaSeHP Crystal
FTIR Spectrometer having KBr pellets sample holder and KBr detector is used for the analysis.
The KBr pellet samples are used and the absorption frequencies range from 600 to 4000 cm-1.
The absorption bonds, absorption frequencies and percentages of transmittance of CaSeHP
crystal is recorded and compared with the reported values. The important spectral characteristics
of CaSeHP is that it shows grouping of five bands from 3477 cm-1 to 2807 cm-1 which is due to
symmetric and asymmetric O-H stretch. The band at 692.02 cm-1 may be due to O-H out of plane
vibration. Phosphate group usually has absorption frequencies from 1000 cm-1 to 1100 cm-1.
These values confirm the presence of grown crystal constituents [14-16].
Figure-1 Growth of CaSeHPO4 crystals at laboratory environment

662 J. Kishore Kumar, P. Sundaramoorthi Vol.8, No.8
Table-1 Growth parameters of CaSeHP crystals in single diffusion process (SDP)
3.2 Thermo gravimetric (TGA and DTA) analysis of CaSeHP crystal
The TGA and DTA of CaSeHP crystals are carried out by STA 11500-PLTS instrument. The
CaSeHP crystal of 9.649mg sample is taken to the TGA and DTA process. The TGA is started
from room temperature to 9000 C by heating at a constant rate. The % of weight of the sample in
CaSeHP at a particular temperature is tabulated in Table-2 [14-16]. In the differential analysis
five exothermic and four endothermic peaks are observed. Figure-2 shows the TGA/DTA
spectrum of CaSeHP crystal.
Gel
density
gm /cc
OPA
concentration
(inner reactant
mixed with
agar gel) in N
Gel+
OPA
pH
value
Gel
setting
time
in hrs
Supernatant
Concentration
ZnSe+CaCl2
(M)
Nucleation
observed in
hrs
Growth
period in
days
Growth
observed
inside the
growth
medium
1.04 1
6.4
6.6
6.9
7.3
48
16
8
26
1:1
-do-
-do-
-do-
45
46
32
90
370 Good
single,
poly
crystals
Liesegan
g rings
are
formed
1.04
1. 5 6.6 6.9
7.0
8.0
36
14
1
98
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
20
52
86
98
280
1.05 1 6.4 6.8
7.1
7.5
46
15
3
28
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
60
32
64
88
330
1.05 2
6.5
6.8
7.4
7.7
88
11
27
58
-do-
-do-
-do-
-do-
20
40
72
92
340

Vol.8, No.8 Defense Mechanism of Renal Functions 663
Figure-2 Thermal analysis result of CaSeHPO4 crystal
Table-2 Thermal analysis of CaSeHPO4 crystal
Points TGA
Temperature
(º C)
% of CaSeHPO4
crystal present
Remaining
sample
in mg
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
35
164
210
430
500
620
740
900
100
95
90
82
70
63
45
45
9.649
9.167
8.684
7.912
6.754
6.078
4.342
4.342
The expected chemical reactions are
CaSeHPO4.XH2O ▲ CaSePO4 + X H2O (Vapour- phase)-Heating up to 164 0C-(3)
2CaSePO4 ▲ 2 Ca, Se + 2PO4 (Vapour- phase)-Heating up to 900 0C---- (4)
In DTA analysis three endothermic peaks are observed which shows the change of phase of

664 J. Kishore Kumar, P. Sundaramoorthi Vol.8, No.8
CaSeHP crystals. The first peak represents the hydroxyl molecules which is low. The second one
is phosphate groups which is higher than others. The third one is Ca, Se molecules which peak is
intermediate with comparing one and two. Ca and Se are stable compounds with respect to the
temperature up to 1089 0C which is its lowest melting point. About 55% of CaSeHP crystals are
decomposed and 45% (4.342mg) of the sample remains stable.
3.3 Etching Study of CaSeHP Crystal
A well-grown CaSeHP crystal is immersed in HCl solution at a desired concentration. The
dissolution of CaSeHP crystal depends upon the etchant concentration, temperature, crystal
morphology, etching time etc. [14-16]. The etch pits are shown in Fig-3. The etch pits are
observed as valleys, spiral, cone, leaf and step pits.
Figure-3 Etch pit pattern of CaSeHP crystal (1.5 Normality of HCl as a etchant, 12 minutes as
a etch time at room temperature)
3.4 Scanning Electron Microscopic Study of CaSeHP Crystal
A well-grown CaSeHP single crystal is selected for the investigation of surface morphology by
using SEM. The SEM photograph is made in the version S-300-I instrument. The sample named
VCA-600 is kept in lobe middle and the data size is 640 x 480 µm. The minor and major
magnification of SEM is about 250 times. SEM acceleration voltage used is 25000 volts and the
sample is kept in a high vacuum. 18200 µm working distance and monochromatic color mode is
employed. 200 μm focusing of CaSeHP crystal SEM is shown in Fig-4. In the SEM surface

Vol.8, No.8 Defense Mechanism of Renal Functions 665
analysis of CaSeHP crystal, few smooth surfaces, many fine grain boundaries and some valley
regions are observed [14-16].
Figure-4 SEM picture of CaSeHP crystal
3.5 X-ray Diffraction of CaSeHP Crystal
The single crystal XRD results revealed the crystalline property of the grown CaSeHP crystal.
The XRD pattern and diffraction indices of CaSeHP crystal are recorded. Using the programme
(Proszki) the lattice parameters of CaSeHP crystal are calculated. The lattice parameters are
a=11.06Å, b=12.27Å, c=10.56Å, α=91.19˚, β= 92.01˚, γ=98.06˚. The volume of the unit cell is
1433.06 (Ao)3. From this data, it is confirmed that CaSeHP crystal system is triclinic.
4. CONCLUSION
The crystal structure, growth morphology, chemical constituents, surface morphology and
TGA/DTA analysis of calcium selenium hydrogen phosphate (CaSeHP) crystals have been
investigated. The CaSeHP crystals are grown in laboratory growth faces by applied various
growth parameters. FTIR spectral study confirms the presence of CaSeHP chemical constituents.
Chemical etching studies are carried out at room temperature and the etch pits are noted which
shows the grown crystal defects. SEM studies are also carried out which revealed the surface
morphology of grown crystal. The decomposition temperature and percentage of weight loss of
grown crystal are recorded by TGA/DTA analysis. Single crystal XRD data identified the grown
CaSeHP crystal system as triclinic structure.
References
200
μ
m magnification

666 J. Kishore Kumar, P. Sundaramoorthi Vol.8, No.8
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