Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
More recent (after 1940) publications on chemistry of calcium
orthophosphates are not considered, since they are well known.
8.4
Early Publications on Calcium
Orthophosphates of Geological Origin
The earliest research paper, I have been able to find, devoted to
natural apatites was published in 1873 [71], while that dedicated
to deposits of natural calcium orthophosphates was published in
1889 [113]. Presumably, the latter publication might be considered
as the first review paper on calcium orthophosphates, in which the
author described various types of natural phosphate deposits, their
formation, as well as possible utilization, mainly as fertilizers. Next
available scientific publications on natural calcium orthophosphates
were published in 1895 [114], 1901 [115, 116], 1902 [117-119] and
1904 [120]. An important study on the presence of orthophosphates
of various chemical elements, including calcium, in soil was
published in 1906 [121]; however, this subject is beyond the scope
of this Chapter.
8.5
Early Studies on Calcium Orthophosphates
in Living Organisms
As mentioned above, the presence of calcium orthophosphates in
bones has been known since the 1770s [13, 16]. Further investigations
in this field were performed in the 19
century. For example, as
seen from the topic by Humphry Davy [122], the organic/inorganic
composite nature of bones and horns has been known since, at least,
1814: “Bones in particular produce it very plentifully, as they consist
of phosphat of lime combined or cemented by gelatine. Horns which
are a species of bone, will yield abundance of gelatine.” (p. 294).
Furthermore, the presence of calcium orthophosphates in milk has
been known since, at least, the same time: “But milk contains, besides,
a considerable portion of phosphat of lime, the purposes of which, I
have already pointed out.” (p. 331). Besides, the general principles of
bone and teeth formation (biomineralization) were already known:
“During the earliest period of animal life they consist almost entirely
of a gelatinous membrane of the form of the bones, but of a loose
th
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