Crystallochemical characterization of calcium oxalate crystals isolated from seed coats of Phaseolus vulgaris and leaves of Vitis vinifera
Abstract
Calcium oxalate crystals are a major biomineralization product in higher plants. Their biological function and use are not well understood. In this work, we focus on the isolation and crystallochemical characterization of calcium oxalate crystals from seed coats of Phaseolus vulgaris (prisms) and leaves of Vitis vinifera (raphides and druses) using ultrastructural methods. A proposal based on crystal growth theory was used for explaining the existence of different morphologies shown by these crystals grown inside specialized cells in plants.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Plant Physiology
- Pub Date:
- January 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1078/0176-1617-00947
- Bibcode:
- 2003JPPhy.160..239J
- Keywords:
-
- biocrystallization;
- biomineralization;
- crystal morphology;
- natural crystal growth;
- X-ray diffraction